Barnum, Menier Chocolate Factory

I usually can't stand Brian Conley on television, but he was very good in the tour. His brashness really worked with the character.

The show itself is loudly mediocre - a third-tier Cy Coleman score tied to a by-the-numbers book. Yes, the key is going to be who they cast.

It will be interesting to see who they cast in the title role - the success of the whole show depends on this. The recent Chichester revival did not transfer into town as Cameron would have liked due to the casting of Christopher Fitzgerald who was very uncharismatic! Cameron also tinkered with the book to make it work better without success.

The original production only worked due to the charisma of Jim Dale on Broadway and Michael Crawford in London who both gave show stopping performances and the spectacle disguised the shows flaws - the book! Stripping the show back will only expose these.

As others have said - not an ideal or obvious choice for a Menier production - they must be looking to transfer like Funny Girl and this will all depend on the casting of the lead. I can't think of anyone who could do this quite frankly let alone anyone who is prepared to commit the time to (potentially) a year in the WE on top of a Menier run.

Surely Joe Pasquale has got there first?

Ugh...... the recent tour was boring. Such an odd choice after Chichester too.

Shame they didn't go for Me and My Girl.

The recent production in Chichester was poor, unusual for Timothy Shreader to drop the ball, however his associate director (forgot the name, sorry), picked the ball up and run with it and turned it into an excellent production, starring Brian Conley,mwhich should have gone into the West End.

Barnum is synonymous with circus skills especially tightrope walking and anything short of that and the audience will feel short changed. What is strange here the Menier has lined up the show, without naming who is going to star and with someone that needs to be a 'quad' threat, you would have thought they would have lined their star up at the same time.

I suggest Miss Michael Ball for the role. If for nothing else but the joy of watching him get up on the high wire, let alone get from one end to the other.

Or perhaps they've managed to get Huge back on stage playing the role in the musical AND in the film for maximum publicity?

They must have someone lined up even if they have not announced?

I would've thought so, it would be very strange to announce the production then try and find someone with all the pre-requisites.

I just love Barnum.

Can't help it. Have done so for years

Gordon Greenberg previously directed Barnum at a theatre in Florida in 2008, with Brad Oscar (a one-time Max Bialystock in New York and London) in the title role. According to this review Oscar didn't do his own 'aerial stunts' rather they had a shadow double - not exactly clear how it worked but perhaps we can expect the same at the Menier. In which case it may not be quite as difficult to cast as it at first seems.

palmbeachartspaper.com/theater-review-maltz-jupiters-barnum-offers-three-rings-of-entertainment/

It won't be very high wire in the Menier - mind you it wasn't high at Chichester either.

Crawford was sensational doing this at the London Palladium where the wire stretched across the Palladium proscenium. It was a real thrill him crossing the wire while singing to Jenny Lind in one of the boxes - the wire leading to her box - I've just realised what I have written!!!! LOL. Must lay off the G&T!! He never fell off when I saw the show but if he did he always had another go. LOL!! Plus his amazing rope slide down to the stage from the gods!

Eh?