Barnum The Circus Musical At The Sheffield Lyceum Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Jenny Bray

This is great mix of story, music and circus acts put on by STOS Theatre Company.  I know it’s an amateur production because I was told in advance and because the programme tells me.  However, if not for this, I wouldn’t have known that it was, other than for the ticket price, which is very good value for a theatre show at between £17 and £28 per ticket.  The acting, singing and choreography throughout were slick and professional and I loved the detail provided in the programme.

The story is that of Barnum, ‘The greatest showman’ from 1835 to 1880.  His story has been told in several different ways over the years, probably most well known in The Greatest Showman film from 2017 with Hugh Jackman.  This version has a similar plot, as it’s still loosely based on his story, so follows him setting up a museum that burns down, to setting up a touring circus, to touring America with Jenny Lind and his ultimate return to his home town, getting in to politics (which is only touched upon) and ultimately the formation of the world renowned Barnum and Bailey ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ when he is convinced to ‘join the circus’.  The songs are different throughout this version than in the film and there is much more of a circus theme with juggling, acrobats etc.  Much is also made of ‘humbug’ in this version, as a slang for lies or for quite significant twisting of truths especially when Barnum is describing his ‘exhibits’ for his initial shows.  Barnum (Matthew Walker) likes to live his life in full colour, whereas his wife Charity (Gina Holmes) prefers more neutral hues.  This is made clear during their duet of ‘The colours of my life’.

The cast for this show is large, with upwards of 30 people sometimes being on stage at once.  Throughout much of the show there are 4 clowns present in bright colours, one each of blue, red, green and yellow (Lauren Turner, Ricky Allen, Vivien Siberry-Scott and Louise Loftus respectively).  There are also various circus acts including juggling, hoop artists and various acrobatics.  There are 2 locals who go by the name Acroredheads doing acrobalance throughout (Laurie Widdison and Kevin Nienabar).  Locals may recognise them from Greentop circus.

The singers of note for me were Gina Holmes as Charity Barnum, Kate Parkin as Blues Singer and Joanne Shearsby with her amazing operatic voice as Jenny Lind.

Performers of note were Zach Rees as Tom Thumb when he commanded the stage with his dancing and acrobats.  I also enjoyed it when the wider cast opened the second act with ‘Come Follow The Band’.

The stage setting is mainly a red and white circus setting, but with the use of other backdrops at times, which worked well.  As the costumes are often bright, with several people on stage at a time, the focus was on the actors and not so much on the setting or props although they enhanced the scenes.

The Lyceum is well signposted with plenty of parking nearby.  Remember to pick up your ticket for the 1st hour free at the Charles Street Q park car park if you park there.  The staff there are very friendly and helpful.

I didn’t realise that STOS Theatre Company, who put this on, are South Yorkshire based and only perform at the Lyceum.  They have put on several other shows throughout the years.  I’ll now look out for them in the future.

The show is family friendly and starts at the earlier time of 7.15 to accommodate this.  I took one of my children and he really enjoyed it (a high accolade from a teenager!).  The speed of the show and the variety of circus acts kept him engaged throughout.

You can tell that a huge amount of work and effort has gone in to this show and it seems a real shame that it is only on for 5 days after all that effort.  If you like the idea of something a little different that is a musical crossed with a story and circus acts then this is definitely for you and you should try and see it before it’s too late (so by the 18th as this is not a touring show!)

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17 to £28
Barnum The Circus Musical is on at Sheffield Lyceum between 14th and 18th November 2023.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0114 249 6000
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA

https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/barnum-stos-theatre-company