BARNUM | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 11 Aug
Having already had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Conley about Barnum, the show stopping extravaganza, it was hard not to go into the theatre with high expectations. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed by Barnum, the show that follows the life of American entrepreneur Phineas. T. Barnum on his weird and wonderful adventures to fortune and fame.
As my friend and I sat down at our seats, we were immediately submerged into a world of entertainment. From jugglers, to handstands, rhythmic gymnasts to comedians. We were left turning our heads from performer to performer before the show had even begun. Barnum is exactly what Brian Conley told me and even more – it has something for everybody. When’s the last time you saw a 54 year old man walk a tight rope without even a harness to support him? With a few falls on occasion admittedly, Conley’s charm and one liners never failed to put the room at ease, or even better have us chuckling in our chairs.
Next thing you know there’s a giant inflatable elephant and the world’s smallest man, Tom Thumb, on stage. As obscure as it all sounds, Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s imaginative production reflects Barnum’s colourful and magical dreams beautifully. Linzi Hateley, who played Barnum’s wife Chaitry, also gave an outstanding performance and eloquently portrayed the struggle of loving a man who is always striving for more.
But one of the greatest surprises had to be the ‘Swedish Nightingale’ Jenny Lind, played by Kimberly Blake. Her breath-taking opera performance was one I was not expecting and one that was worth the night out alone. This performance, along with the talented ensemble and superb instrumentals, made you feel like you were a part of something extraordinary. The only slight criticism I do have is that, at times, the volume of the music overwhelmed the vocals of the performers.
I would love to see Barnum make it to the West End after its final show in Cardiff. It is unlike any show I have ever seen before, and is truly one unmissable spectacular. I suppose a fitting way to sum up the events of the evening is to use the words of P.T. Barnum himself; for it is an eye opening revelation of one man’s life as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’.
words PHOEBE DAVIES photos JOHAN PERSSON
Barnum, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, until Sat 15 Aug. Tickets: £17.50-£44.50 / £53.50-£54.50 premium seats. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
