Stage Production Notes
With a score by Cy Coleman, Barnum is a fantastical circus show based around the life of showman P.T. Barnum.
Barnum first opened on Broadway at the the St. James Theatre on April 30, 1980. The production starred Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and a cast of multi-talented singers, dancers, and acrobats.
The show received generally positive reviews, though reviewers were critical of the thin book. Jim Dale garnered rave reviews for his performance as the title character.
The Broadway production was nominated for a slew of awards, including 10 Tony Awards. It won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Scenic Design. Jim Dale picked up a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and the production won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical.
The Broadway production played 854 performances before closing on May 16, 1982.
When Barnum opened in Paris at the Cirque d’Hiver (Winter Circus) on March 26, 1981, it became the first Broadway show to open in Paris before opening in London. Despite much hype and a black tie opening night attended by royals and celebrities, the French production of Barnum was a commercial flop.
Shortly after the Paris run, Barnum opened at the London Palladium in June 1981 starring the much-loved Michael Crawford — The Observer’s theatre critic Robert Cushman noted that Crawford “won the standingest [sic] ovation” he had ever witnessed.
Like Jim Dale in the Broadway production, Michael Crawford received rave reviews for his portrayal of P.T. Barnum.
The London production of Barnum broke house records, and played for 655 performances.
After an extended tour of Germany, Barnum returned to tour the UK in March 1984. The touring production opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on March 14, 1985. In his second review of the production, The Guardian’s Michael Billington noted that Barnum felt “more at home” in the Palace than its previous venue, the Palladium. Billington once again gave lavish praise to Michael Crawford, claiming Crawford delivered “the most energetic performance I have ever seen in a musical.”
Barnum has been performed internationally, with major productions being staged in Australia and Spain in the 1980s, and throughout the United States.
Cameron Mackintosh revived Barnum in the UK in 2013 at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
The Menier Chocolate Factory in London has announced a new revival will open in November 2017 for a limited engagement.
Barnum is available for licensing through Tams-Witmark.
With a score by Cy Coleman, Barnum is a fantastical circus show based around the life of showman P.T. Barnum.
Barnum first opened on Broadway at the the St. James Theatre on April 30, 1980. The production starred Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and a cast of multi-talented singers, dancers, and acrobats.
The show received generally positive reviews, though reviewers were critical of the thin book. Jim Dale garnered rave reviews for his performance as the title character.
The Broadway production was nominated for a slew of awards, including 10 Tony Awards. It won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Scenic Design. Jim Dale picked up a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and the production won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical.
The Broadway production played 854 performances before closing on May 16, 1982.
When Barnum opened in Paris at the Cirque d’Hiver (Winter Circus) on March 26, 1981, it became the first Broadway show to open in Paris before opening in London. Despite much hype and a black tie opening night attended by royals and celebrities, the French production of Barnum was a commercial flop.
Shortly after the Paris run, Barnum opened at the London Palladium in June 1981 starring the much-loved Michael Crawford — The Observer’s theatre critic Robert Cushman noted that Crawford “won the standingest [sic] ovation” he had ever witnessed.
Like Jim Dale in the Broadway production, Michael Crawford received rave reviews for his portrayal of P.T. Barnum.
The London production of Barnum broke house records, and played for 655 performances.
After an extended tour of Germany, Barnum returned to tour the UK in March 1984. The touring production opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on March 14, 1985. In his second review of the production, The Guardian’s Michael Billington noted that Barnum felt “more at home” in the Palace than its previous venue, the Palladium. Billington once again gave lavish praise to Michael Crawford, claiming Crawford delivered “the most energetic performance I have ever seen in a musical.”
Barnum has been performed internationally, with major productions being staged in Australia and Spain in the 1980s, and throughout the United States.
Cameron Mackintosh revived Barnum in the UK in 2013 at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
The Menier Chocolate Factory in London has announced a new revival will open in November 2017 for a limited engagement.
Barnum is available for licensing through Tams-Witmark.
Filmed Production Notes
During its run at the Victoria Palace, Barnum was filmed by the BBC.
The BBC aired Barnum on televisions throughout the UK on December 26, 1986.
The program aired on North American television via PBS’ Channel Thirteen on March 21, 1990, and again on July 5, 1991.
The taping was released on VHS in the early 1990s. Water Bearer Films released the DVD on February 27, 2001. Unusually, the DVD is playable in all regions.
Barnum is also available to view on DVD and to stream on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links).
During its run at the Victoria Palace, Barnum was filmed by the BBC.
The BBC aired Barnum on televisions throughout the UK on December 26, 1986.
The program aired on North American television via PBS’ Channel Thirteen on March 21, 1990, and again on July 5, 1991.
The taping was released on VHS in the early 1990s. Water Bearer Films released the DVD on February 27, 2001. Unusually, the DVD is playable in all regions.
Barnum is also available to view on DVD and to stream on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links).
Barnum PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Victoria Palace, London
Producer: Harold Fielding, BBC TV
Book: Mark Bramble
Music: Cy Coleman
Lyrics: Michael Stewart
Director: Peter Coe, Film: Terry Hughes
Musical Director: Michael Reed
Orchestrations: Hershy Kay
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Cy Coleman
Original Choreography Re-Created by: Buddy Schwab
Scenic Design: David Mitchell
Costume Design: Theoni V. Aldredge
Lighting Design: Eric Delzenne
Sound Design: Edward Fardell
Stage Manager: Joanne Blakeborough
Cast:
Michael Crawford (Phineas Taylor Barnum), Eileen Battye (Charity “Chairy” Barnum), Michael Heath (The Ringmaster), Christina Collier (Jenny Lind), Sharon Benson (Joice Heth), Paul Miller (Tom Thumb)
Ensemble: Peter Barbour, Sue Barbour, Michael Cantwell, Perry Davey, James Francis Johnston, Graham Fawcett, Richard Gauntlett, Paul Goddard, Alan Heap, Michael Hervieu, Amanda Newman, Joanne Robley Dixon, Nadine Shenton, Debbie Steel, Christopher Talman, Jane Watts, Paul Batman (Pianist), Bunny Thompson (Pianist)
Theatre: Victoria Palace, London
Producer: Harold Fielding, BBC TV
Book: Mark Bramble
Music: Cy Coleman
Lyrics: Michael Stewart
Director: Peter Coe, Film: Terry Hughes
Musical Director: Michael Reed
Orchestrations: Hershy Kay
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Cy Coleman
Original Choreography Re-Created by: Buddy Schwab
Scenic Design: David Mitchell
Costume Design: Theoni V. Aldredge
Lighting Design: Eric Delzenne
Sound Design: Edward Fardell
Stage Manager: Joanne Blakeborough
Cast:
Michael Crawford (Phineas Taylor Barnum), Eileen Battye (Charity “Chairy” Barnum), Michael Heath (The Ringmaster), Christina Collier (Jenny Lind), Sharon Benson (Joice Heth), Paul Miller (Tom Thumb)
Ensemble: Peter Barbour, Sue Barbour, Michael Cantwell, Perry Davey, James Francis Johnston, Graham Fawcett, Richard Gauntlett, Paul Goddard, Alan Heap, Michael Hervieu, Amanda Newman, Joanne Robley Dixon, Nadine Shenton, Debbie Steel, Christopher Talman, Jane Watts, Paul Batman (Pianist), Bunny Thompson (Pianist)
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Johnny Barrs, From Rags to Riches: The Diary of A Comedy Actor, AuthorHouse (2011), p. 97
- Dan Dietz, “The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals,” Rowman & Littlefield (2016), p.15-17
Articles
- Michael Billington, “Barnum,” The Guardian (June 12, 1981), p.11
- Michael Billington, “Barnum,” The Guardian (March 20, 1985) p.23
- Robert Cushman, “Hero of the Big Top,” The Observer (June 14, 1981), p.31
- Stephen Dubner, “Television Highlights,” New York Magazine (July 1-8, 1991), p.175
- Andrew Gans, “London's Menier Chocolate Factory Will Stage Revival of Barnum,” Playbill (Aug 21, 2017)
- Patrick Hayward, “Barnum Transfers to London 35 Years Ago,” Overtures (June 7, 2016)
- Peter Jones, “London’s West End: “Cats” Sets British Seal on Broadway,” Billboard (Jan 29, 1983), p.38
- Michiko Kakutani, “Jim Dale is Toast of Broadway,” New York Times (May 2, 1980)
- Frank J. Prial, “French Do ‘Barnum’ in Round, At Cirque,” New York Times (March 27, 1981)
- Frank Rich, “‘Theater: ‘Barnum,’ A Circus Musical,” New York Times (May 1, 1980)
- Festival Thirteen Advert, New York Magazine, (March 19, 1990), p.77
Websites
- Dress Circle, “Barnum Live All Region DVD,” Accessed via: http://www.dresscircle.com/dvdblu-ray/5998-barnum-live-all-region-dvd-5026107057841.html
- Playbill, “Barnum,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/barnum-st-james-theatre-vault-0000004184
- Tams-Witmark, “Barnum,” Accessed via: http://www.tamswitmark.com/shows/barnum/
- Theatrecrafts.com, “Barnum,” Accessed via: http://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/shows/barnum/
Written by Luisa Lyons (October, 2017)