Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town, and the Watermill’s production of Barnum is an absolute thrilling treat.
It all begins in the delightful gardens with a circus ring festooned by fairy lights creating a magical atmosphere. There are also stalls selling hot dogs and popcorn with circus music playing, all part of creating a circus environment and it works well.
Unfortunately, the inclement weather forced this pre-show fun to be curtailed, but the jugglers and musicians led us into the auditorium, and what a visual delight awaited us. Lee Newby's design creates a circus ring complete with red and white stripes and stars with three trapeze artists ‘warming up’ high above the stage.
P T Barnum has a dream of becoming the greatest showman on earth, and is outstandingly played with sparkle and charisma by Matt Rawle. Barnum was really a conman and an expert in the “noble art of humbug” as the opening number “There Is a Sucker Born Every Minute” expounds.
His loving wife, Charity, delightfully played by Monique Young, is the perfect foil to him, providing a steadying influence on Barnum as his wild ideas of creating a museum filled with oddities becomes a reality.
These include Joice Heth, the allegedly 160-year-old nurse of George Washington and oldest woman in the world (Tania Mathurin), and Fergus Rattigan, who gives a committed performance as General Tom Thumb, the smallest man in the world, although in reality he was a boy, and there’s even a brief appearance from Jumbo the elephant.
The immensely talented, 18-strong cast not only act and perform amazing circus skills under the direction of Amy Panter, they play umpteen musical instruments including a sousaphone under the musical direction of Josh Barnett. He brings Cy Coleman's music with lyrics by Michael Stewart vibrantly to life, and also plays a dashing ringmaster.
The large ensemble perform with flair, energy and at a fast pace that’s exhausting to watch. Life becomes more complicated when Barnum brings Jenny Lind, the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, to perform. Penny Ashmore has a soaring soprano voice and accompanies herself on the Welsh harp, but this love triangle between the Barnums and her creates tension.
Closing act one, Rawle precariously crosses the stage on a high tightrope, a heart-in-your-mouth moment, which received tremendous applause as he successfully reached the end.
How do the company beat that? Well, with “Come Follow the Band”, a rousing big band number that starts act two, and it’s a dazzling showbiz triumph.
Inventively directed by Johnathan O’Boyle, with skilful energetic choreography by Oti Mabuse, this is a production that leaves you wanting more. Not to be missed!