Barnum

Tue 11 – Sat 15 Aug 2026

Main Stage, Theatre Royal

EVENT INFORMATION

Evenings: 7.30pm
Matinees: Wed & Thu 2pm, Sat 2.30pm
Running Time: 2hrs 10mins (including interval)
Need to know: 8+, contains smoke, haze, gunshots, fire, loud noises, flashing lights, moments of darkness, balloons and clowns, and contains depictions of racism, slavery and the exploitation of human and animal performers in the nineteenth century entertainment industry.
Audio Described and Captioned perf with pre-show Touch Tour: Sat 15 Aug, 2.30pm

Listen to the Barnum Audio Flyer

Theatre Royal Sponsored by Vertu

Matt Rawle stars as the world’s greatest showman.

Enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds.

Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.

Matt Rawle (Cabaret, Evita, Les Misérables) will take centre stage as the legendary 19^th century showman P.T. Barnum. This spectacular production directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!

Barnum first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage, and now, Matt Rawle steps into Barnum’s shoes and on to the tightrope!

Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. Barnum features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle.