The circus has arrived in Bangor, just outside Newbury in Berkshire. A perfect setting in the grounds of  The Watermill Theatre for the stalls and outside entertainment which set the scene for the Theatre’s latest production of BARNUM. Which now rubs throughout the Summer until Sunday 8th September 2024.

Matt Rawle takes on the role of the ingenious and charismatic P T Barnum. Full of life, energy and foresight into how he wanted the Circus and Entertainment venue to look. Alongside him at pretty much every step of the way was  his wife Charity Barnum played by Moniique Young their relationship onstage appeared organic and true as they loved, laughed and cried together throughout the performance, such a beautiful chemistry. Despite everything life threw at the couple they stayed together until “death do us part”.

Born in 1810 Phineas Taylor Barnum was generations ahead of his time where giving performers a stage and platform to perform which society at the time saw as “freaks of nature”. However, Barnum saw what they held inside and their talents. He wanted to give them a safe space to create and be themselves. Although it can be argued he exploited them for his gains.  That conclusion is upto the audience to decide for themselves.

Every inch of the stage including the side aisles in The Watermill Theatre has been transformed into the Big Top Ring with the familiar red and white striped walls lining the theatre walls. The audience is fully submerged in the show and the front couple of rows are often interacted with during the performance.

With each scene change the audience is treated visually to an eye-catching range of Circus costumes created by Ros Kitson, Caz Williams and Debbie McGregor who have created a timeline in costumes as Barnum became wealthier and into his years running for congress in America. The details and colours complemented the entire production as seen in the review photos.

Barnum is set to the music by Cy Coleman with all the lyrics written by Michael Stewart accompanied by an Orchestra sat above the stage at the back which the audience caught glimpses of occasionally.

Director Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographer Oti Mabuse bring together all the fun of the circus onto the smaller stage at the Watermill with a trapeze artists, bands and sleight-of-hand tricks with ease. However, the working space available must have been a challenge at times as there’s no room for a single error. A fabulous achievement all around.

For more information about BARNUM and future productions at The Watermill Theatre please use the link below.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Pamela Raith.

https://www.watermill.org.uk/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/P-T-Barnum