By Tim Saunders
A circus musical is something very special and if you’re lucky enough to see Barnum at Kings Theatre Portsmouth (on until March 14), you’re in for a real treat.
Tight rope walking, acrobats galore and even an enormous elephant puppet. All of this on a superb set where any changes are seamless. The audience is treated to 150 musical instruments throughout the show from a tuba to a double bass and a harp and not just one upright piano but two. Seeing both pianos at either side of the stage being played simultaneously is wonderful. And there’s some strong singing, too.
“Did you see the musician with the guitar go and play the piano?” says my wife, Caroline. What it must be like to be so talented.
“My favourite part had to be the opera singer,” says Harriett (15) in awe.
“I liked the fire eater,” says Henry (10).
“Mine was the acrobats on the see-saw,” says Heidi (13). “It was heart-stopping, I was on the edge of my seat,” adds Caroline, who really appreciated the layering of the stage, the choreography and the art direction. “For me it was like watching a kaleidoscope with the synchronisations of movement and pattern,” she says. “Just the versatility of it all left me amazed, all the talent and the musicians playing more than one instrument was a joy to watch.”
So much goes into making a successful show and it must take hours for the cast to learn their various parts. Barnum was played by actor, singer and brass musician Tom Sterling, who had a huge number of lines.
And then there were the fabulous costumes with their complementary colours.
It is a feel good, unforgettable, family show that is an absolute must to see. I enjoyed the lengths Barnum goes to in establishing his circus and some of the tall tales he tells to sell tickets.
Go and see it.
