BWW Reviews: BARNUM, Curve Theatre Leicester, September 10 2014

Cameron Macintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Barnum debuted at the Curve Theatre, Leicester last night before embarking on a National Tour. The show was seen by nearly 70,000 people during its run in Chichester last year and was critically acclaimed by many throughout its time there.

Way prior to this, the production opened on Broadway back in 1980 where it picked up three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. Following this, Barnum opened in the West End in 1981 starring Michael Crawford; a role for which he won an Olivier.

Phineas T Barnum is known as America's greatest showman. His wife Chairy has very different views to her husband but ironically is the reason Phineas gets all he ever wanted in life. The show follows his life up until he created a partnership with J A Bailey and Barnum & Bailey's Circus - the Greatest Show on Earth - was born.

Mark Bramble's book crams a lot of action into not a lot of time and is very subtle. Cy Coleman's music is not the strongest part of the show as they are not particularly memorable on the whole but Michael Stewart's lyrics are clever and enjoyable.

The audience are treated to a pre-show from the ensemble showcasing an array of circus skills and tricks. This then segued into the opening and the well-known 'Come Follow The Band' which set the scene for the show to come. Scott Pask's scenic design is simple yet very textured with lots of levels used. The vast majority of the set was created by the company using the movable staircases, blocks and a touring cart/wagon. Andrew Wright's stunning choreography makes these transitions seamless and throughout every beat in the music is realised. The ensemble are one of the strongest elements of the production and in addition to all evidently possessing triple threat status, they also demonstrate brilliant circus skills. Paul Wills' costumes allow this movement and are beautifully of the era. Paule Constable's original lighting design is flawlessly recreated by both Richard Pacholski and Simon Sherriff and encompasses the needed colour that Barnum is so adamant about.

Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy's direction is excellent as he gives the audience just enough for their imaginations to complete the rest. Metaphors are rife and a particularly poignant (yet terrifying) moment is when Brian Conley, who plays Barnum, walks the tightrope across to soprano Jenny Lind whose show he is considering taking out on the road and to whom he is greatly attracted. This, however, means leaving his devoted wife behind to manage the rest of his acts. Kudos must be given to Conley as he does this trick with no harness or anyone beneath him; the entire audience held their breath for the duration! Conley is one of the UK's best-loved showmen and therefore this casting on paper sounds like a match made in heaven. He has charisma coming out of every pore and is incredibly entertaining throughout. My only slight criticism is that whether Conley is playing Caractacus Potts, Harold Hill, Edna Turnblad, Fagin or in this case Barnum, he cannot shake Brian Conley. If you enjoy his work, you will adore this show but sometimes a bit of variation would be a good thing. Also occasionally his diction in musical numbers can get a bit mumbly and unclear but the speed of the songs does not help with this sometimes.

Linzi Hateley plays Barnum's long suffering wife Chairy. However it is clear that they adore each other and Hateley and Conley's chemistry reflects this. Hateley is an incredible talent; her vocals are sublime and she is a brilliant actress. She too throws herself into the circus vibe and clearly enjoys herself very much on stage.

The show does not quite pack the punch I hoped it would as a whole but there are definitely strong components. Kimberly Blake's rendition of 'Love Makes Such Fools Of Us All' is just magnificent and the finale is particularly special involving the whole cast.

Barnum plays at the Curve Theatre, Leicester until Saturday 13 September and continues to tour the country until July 2015.

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