Due to overwhelming demand, Bill Kenwright Ltd has announced that the UK tour of Barnum will extend into the autumn of 2026.
The autumn leg of the tour will see Matt Rawle reprise his critically acclaimed performance as P.T. Barnum, a role he first played at the Watermill Theatre in 2024. Rawle will take over from Lee Mead starting 12 August at Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Barnum would embark on a major UK tour beginning 3 February 2026, with previews from 30 January. Lee Mead, known for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked, and Legally Blonde, will star as the legendary showman through the summer leg of the tour.
Step right up and 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.
Barnum first wowed UK audiences at the London Palladium, where Michael Crawford famously performed a nightly tightrope walk across the stage. Now, both Mead and Rawle will follow in his footsteps—literally.
This spectacular new staging features an ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, alongside acrobats and international circus acts.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead, The Last Five Years) and choreographed by Oti Mabuse (Strictly Come Dancing), the production was hailed by The Observer as a “dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical tribute to the 19th-century circus showman” in its five-star review.
The musical features the glorious score of Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and a book by Mark Bramble. Audiences can expect beloved show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band, and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
The creative team also includes Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Matt Nicholson (Co-Choreographer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), George Dyer (Musical Supervisor, Arrangements & Orchestrations), and Amy Panter (Circus Director).
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
