Review: Barnum at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Come Follow The Band!

 

Barnum

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until 28^th February 2015.

A show which combines a true story with full on colourful visuals is the perfect antidote to the grey February days. It starts the way it means to go on  - with circus performances in the aisles in the build up to the start of the show.  As Barnum’s first number says – There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute – but you’d be a sucker not to enjoy this vibrant show.

The central character is the larger than life P. T. Barnum.

A man who knew how to manipulate the media more than a modern day Simon Cowell or a political spin doctor. He would use carefully worded promises to relieve punters of their money in what he refers to as ‘humbug’ and his faithful wife Chairy called ‘flim flam’. But the narrative is much more than his march from fairground side shows to becoming mayor, it also involves the nature of the relationships with the women in his life.   

Brian Conley, last seen at the Theatre Royal as Fagin in the superb Oliver!, returns as Barnum. He has a commanding air and owns the set as he breaks down the fourth wall and interacts with some members of the audience. The roll calls on Brian to walk on stilts, juggle, breath fire and, amazingly, do a spot of tight rope walking. Chuck in a few magic tricks, great songs and well timed one liners and you have a star performance.

Playing his wife, Chairy, is Linzi Hateley who oozes class as her character keeps Barnum in check. The onstage chemistry, with Conley, works well whenever they share the stage.  

Kimberley Blake has a stunning voice, as she plays the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, whilst swinging high above the stage.

Also adding the the female singing talent is Landi Oshinowo, who appears the oldest woman alive Joice Heth and sings Thank God I’m Old.

A mention should be made of Mikey Jay-Heath as the vertically challenged Tom Thumb who, during his catchy number Bigger Isn’t Better plays, entertainingly, on the scale issue.  In Cameron Mackintosh’s production the audience are strung along on this particular humbug to great effect as the giant elephant is added for effect.

Perhaps the pace slows down during the second half as the large ensemble of dancers and circus performers take a breather but the show very much ends on a performance high which delighted the packed Theatre Royal crowd.

This is a fabulous show, featuring the masterful Brian Conley and the stunning Linzi Hateley, in which the simple act of setting a table for 2 turns into an acrobatic routine with a dash of magic. It is a great family show, perfectly timed for a half term treat.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com ). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

The show preview originally appeared: Jowheretogo preview link

Music                           Cy Coleman

Lyrics                            Michael Stewart

Book                             Mark Bramble

Revision                        Cameron Mackintosh & Mark Bramble

Director                        Jen-Pierre Van Der Spuy

Musical Director          Ian Townsend

Photos by Johan Persson  

Tickets:

Barnum appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015. Tickets are available from £21 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Barnum at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Come Follow The Band –

Barnum Is Coming To Town!

 

Barnum

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015

Brian Conley as 'PT Barnum' &

Linzi Hateley as 'Chairy'.

Photo by Johan Persson

Roll up, roll up! Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison are bringing their smash hit production of the musical Barnum to town, starring Brian Conley as legendary showman ‘PT Barnum’ and Linzi Hateley as ‘Chairy’.  Experience the thrills and spills at Newcastle Theatre Royal, 17 – 28 February 2015.

Brian Conley as 'PT Barnum'

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum opened at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Theatre in the Park in July 2013 and became one of the most successful musicals in the theatre’s 51 year history, with a record box office attendance of almost 70,000 people. A new tour opened in Leicester last September and has been playing to sell-out houses ever since.

Photo by Johan Persson

The musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America’s Greatest Showman. The story of his life and his marriage to Chairy reveals a couple who looked at the world from opposite sides of the spectrum, and also reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum’s dreams come true. The production follows the legendary showman’s life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus – the Greatest Show on Earth.

Photo by Johan Persson

Cy Coleman’s wonderfully exuberant score includes the hits Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute.

Photo by Johan Persson

Brian Conley is one of the UK’s most versatile actors and performers. He most recently scored a huge success as ‘Fagin’ in the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! which stormed the Theatre Royal in 2012. His recent West End stage credits include ‘Edna Turnblad’ in Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre and ‘Caractacus Potts’ in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.  One of the highlights of his career was originating the role of another great iconic American showman ‘Al Jolson’ in Jolson at the Victoria Palace for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.  On television he is probably best known for playing ‘Doug Digby’ in The Grimleys, his ITV1 show The Brian Conley Show, his hugely successful An Audience with Brian Conley and numerous Royal Variety Performances.

Linzi Hateley as 'Chairy'.

Photo by Johan Persson

Linzi Hateley is an award winning actress who has starred on Broadway, in the West End, with the RSC and at the National Theatre. She created the role of ‘Mrs Banks’ in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as ‘The Narrator’ in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her many other West End credits include ‘Donna’ in Mamma Mia!, ‘Roxie’ in Chicago, ‘Rizzo’ in Grease and ‘Eponine’ in Les Misérables. She most recently appeared in the National Theatre’s smash hit production of London Road.

Barnum was a smash-hit when it opened on Broadway in 1980. Starring Glenn Close and Jim Dale, it won three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. When Barnum opened at the London Palladium in 1981 Michael Crawford took the lead, winning an Olivier Award for his performance.

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum has music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble in a revised version by Cameron Mackintosh and Mark Bramble. The Jowheretogo team have reviewed the show earlier in the tour and you can read their thoughts here: Barnum Tour Review

  

Photos by Johan Persson  

Tickets:

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015. Tickets are available from £21 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Review: Barnum at Hull New Theatre

The Greatest Show on Earth

Photo: Johan Persson

Barnum

Hull New Theatre

Until 25^th October then on tour

Photo: Johan Persson

Phineas Taylor Barnum was America’s second millionaire, bankrupted twice yet still died America’s richest man. This show is a lavish musical which is in the spirit of Barnum himself. It is about giving the audience a good time from the very beginning.

Photo:

Johan Persson

Before the curtain goes up the ensemble is mingling in the crowd showing off their circus tricks and trying to get the audience to take part. The Razzmatazz continues as the curtain goes up as the 11 piece orchestra and the acrobats join the circus performers. P T Barnum himself would have been impressed by the colourful display that filled the stage.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The story broadly follows a number of aspects of Barnum’s life. Brian Conley is called upon to interact at times with the crowd and improvises as well as many stand-up comics. He also walks the literal tight-rope in a brilliant performance as the man credited with been a legend of self-promotion and advertising. The wonderful Linzi Hateley plays Chairy Barnum and there is lots of onstage chemistry between these two pivotal characters. 

The singing is always top notch. Linzi Hateley, Kimberly Blake, as the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, and Landi Oshinowo, in both her roles as Joice Heth and the Blues Singer, are are all note perfect with a range of delightful numbers. 

Photo:

Johan Persson

 Mikey Jay-Heath as Tom Thumb and Brian Conley hold the singing honours for the lads.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The set is visually stunning as it doubles as the arena for many of Barnum’s stunts. Even the set changes were turned into circus style routines which had a round of applause from the appreciative audience. The only quibble would be that it was a shame that the talented orchestra was hidden away for much of the show.

Photo:

Johan Persson

It has long been a bug bear of the Jowheretogo team that there is a lack of shows, outside of panto season, which are suitable for the whole family. Barnum is one such show that will keep the whole family entertained.  On a number of occasions the stage is filled with circus frivolity .

Barnum the musical is a stunning exploration of a larger than life character.

Photo: Johan Persson

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Tour dates include:

Photo:

Johan Persson

Edinburgh Playhouse 28 Oct - 1 Nov 2014 - 0844 871 301

Tue - Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm

Newcastle Theatre Royal 17 - 28 Feb 2015 - 08448 11 21 21

Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed 2pm (18 Feb only)
Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pm