A major UK tour of Barnum, the classic Broadway musical that celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P.T. Barnum begins in February 2026
Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth!
Bill Kenwright Ltd is delighted to announce that it will present Barnum, the classic Broadway musical by Cy Coleman (music), Michael Stewart (lyrics) and Mark Bramble (book) that celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P.T. Barnum.
Originally produced at the Watermill Theatre, this major new touring production will open at Theatre Royal Windsor on Tuesday 3 February 2026 (previews from Friday 30 January).
West End favourite and TV star Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Lee is best known for his breakout win on Any Dream Will Do and acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
The production will also be extending into the autumn of next year, with Matt Rawle (Cabaret; Evita; Les Misérables) reprising his critically acclaimed performance as P.T Barnum, with autumn dates starting at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 12 August.
Starring alongside Lee are Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter (The Lion King) as Joice Heth, and Fergus Rattigan (The Wizard of Oz) as General Tom Thumb.
They are joined by Elena Buck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterling and Niki Tsonopoulou.
What is Barnum – The Circus Musical about?
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
Barnum first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now, Lee and Matt step into Barnum’s shoes and on to the tightrope! This spectacular new staging will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing international circus acts.
With direction by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead; The Last Five Years) and choreography by Oti Mabuse (Strictly Come Dancing), The Observer called this production a “dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical tribute to the 19th-century circus showman” in their five-star review when it premiered at the Watermill Theatre last year.
With the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book, Barnum features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
The creative team also includes Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Matt Nicholson (Co-Choreographer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), George Dyer (Musical Supervisor, Arrangements & Orchestrations) and Amy Panter (Circus Director).
Where is Barnum playing on tour?
STARRING LEE MEAD:
30 Jan – 7 Feb Windsor Theatre Royal
10 – 14 Feb Manchester Palace Theatre
24 – 28 Feb York Grand Opera House
3 – 7 Mar Brighton Theatre Royal
10 – 14 Mar Portsmouth Kings Theatre
17 – 21 Mar Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
24 – 28 Mar Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
31 Mar – 4 Apr Bradford The Alhambra Theatre
7 – 11 Apr Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
14 – 18 April Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
21 – 25 Apr Birmingham Hippodrome
28 Apr – 2 May Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
5 – 9 May Swindon Wyvern Theatre
19 – 23 May Woking New Victoria Theatre
26 – 30 May Nottingham Playhouse
2 – 6 Jun Hull New Theatre
9 – 13 Jun Blackpool Opera House
16 – 20 Jun Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
23 – 27 Jun Richmond Theatre (Tickets will be on sale soon)
30 Jun – 4 Jul Southend Cliffs Pavilion
STARRING MATT RAWLE:
12 – 15 Aug Newcastle Theatre Royal
25 – 29 Aug Torquay Princess Theatre
1 – 5 Sep Leicester Curve
8 – 12 Sep Milton Keynes Theatre
15 – 19 Sep Liverpool Empire
22 – 26 Sep Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
29 Sep – 3 Oct London New Wimbledon Theatre
6 – 10 Oct Edinburgh Festival Theatre
13 – 17 Oct Belfast Grand Opera House
20 – 24 Oct Eastbourne Congress Theatre
27 – 31 Oct Malvern Festival Theatre
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