Brian Conley & Linzi Hateley to Lead BARNUM at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2015

Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison present the Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre hit musical BARNUM which will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 7 July - Saturday 1 August 2015 starring Brian Conley as PT Barnum and Linzi Hateley as Chairy.

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.

Brian Conley said "Birmingham Hippodrome is special to me, not only have I performed in some of the most well-loved musicals of all time but I've starred in a record breaking 6 pantomimes and was honoured to have hosted the 1999 Royal Variety Performance there."

Brian continued "I'm therefore thrilled to return to the Hippodrome in such an amazing show full of great songs, comedy and colour and telling the true story of one of the great showmen of his time, PT Barnum. I remember seeing Michael Crawford's 'Barnum' at the London Palladium and ever since have dreamed of playing the role and now, thanks to Michael Harrison and Cameron Mackintosh the dream has come true."

This production of BARNUM opened at Chichester Festival Theatre's acclaimed state-of-the-art Theatre in the Park in July 2013 playing to almost 70,000 people. 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.

Stuart Griffiths, Birmingham Hippodrome's Chief Executive added "Brian Conley is one of the country's most talented entertainers and a firm favourite with theatregoers here in Birmingham. We are delighted that he will be returning in what will be one of the main highlights of our 2015 season."

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.

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.

Tickets for BARNUM will go on sale to Friends at 10am on Monday 30 June, Groups Wednesday 2 July at 10am with General on sale on Friday 4 July.

Tickets are priced £16-£48.50 and are available on 0844 338 5000 or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com 5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change.

Perf times: Eves: 7.30pm; mats Wed 2pm; Sat 2.30pm.; Signed performance 22 July 7.30pm; Captioned performance 23 July 7.30pm Audio described performance 25 July 2.30pm with a Touch Tour from 12.30pm.

For further information on how to become a Friend and to take advantage of priority booking go to www.birminghamhippodrome.com/friends or become a friend when booking tickets on 0844 338 5000.

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