Review: Barnum at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Come Follow The Band!

 

Barnum

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until 28^th February 2015.

A show which combines a true story with full on colourful visuals is the perfect antidote to the grey February days. It starts the way it means to go on  - with circus performances in the aisles in the build up to the start of the show.  As Barnum’s first number says – There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute – but you’d be a sucker not to enjoy this vibrant show.

The central character is the larger than life P. T. Barnum.

A man who knew how to manipulate the media more than a modern day Simon Cowell or a political spin doctor. He would use carefully worded promises to relieve punters of their money in what he refers to as ‘humbug’ and his faithful wife Chairy called ‘flim flam’. But the narrative is much more than his march from fairground side shows to becoming mayor, it also involves the nature of the relationships with the women in his life.   

Brian Conley, last seen at the Theatre Royal as Fagin in the superb Oliver!, returns as Barnum. He has a commanding air and owns the set as he breaks down the fourth wall and interacts with some members of the audience. The roll calls on Brian to walk on stilts, juggle, breath fire and, amazingly, do a spot of tight rope walking. Chuck in a few magic tricks, great songs and well timed one liners and you have a star performance.

Playing his wife, Chairy, is Linzi Hateley who oozes class as her character keeps Barnum in check. The onstage chemistry, with Conley, works well whenever they share the stage.  

Kimberley Blake has a stunning voice, as she plays the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, whilst swinging high above the stage.

Also adding the the female singing talent is Landi Oshinowo, who appears the oldest woman alive Joice Heth and sings Thank God I’m Old.

A mention should be made of Mikey Jay-Heath as the vertically challenged Tom Thumb who, during his catchy number Bigger Isn’t Betterplays, entertainingly, on the scale issue.  In Cameron Mackintosh’s production the audience are strung along on this particular humbug to great effect as the giant elephant is added for effect.

Perhaps the pace slows down during the second half as the large ensemble of dancers and circus performers take a breather but the show very much ends on a performance high which delighted the packed Theatre Royal crowd.

This is a fabulous show, featuring the masterful Brian Conley and the stunning Linzi Hateley, in which the simple act of setting a table for 2 turns into an acrobatic routine with a dash of magic. It is a great family show, perfectly timed for a half term treat.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com ). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

The show preview originally appeared: Jowheretogo preview link

Music                           Cy Coleman

Lyrics                            Michael Stewart

Book                             Mark Bramble

Revision                        Cameron Mackintosh & Mark Bramble

Director                        Jen-Pierre Van Der Spuy

Musical Director          Ian Townsend

Photos by Johan Persson  

Tickets:

Barnumappears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015. Tickets are available from £21 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Barnum at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Come Follow The Band –

Barnum Is Coming To Town!

 

Barnum

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015

Brian Conley as 'PT Barnum' &

Linzi Hateley as 'Chairy'.

Photo by Johan Persson

Roll up, roll up! Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison are bringing their smash hit production of the musical Barnum to town, starring Brian Conley as legendary showman ‘PT Barnum’ and Linzi Hateley as ‘Chairy’.  Experience the thrills and spills at Newcastle Theatre Royal, 17 – 28 February 2015.

Brian Conley as 'PT Barnum'

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnumopened at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Theatre in the Park in July 2013 and became one of the most successful musicals in the theatre’s 51 year history, with a record box office attendance of almost 70,000 people. A new tour opened in Leicester last September and has been playing to sell-out houses ever since.

Photo by Johan Persson

The musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America’s Greatest Showman. The story of his life and his marriage to Chairy reveals a couple who looked at the world from opposite sides of the spectrum, and also reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum’s dreams come true. The production follows the legendary showman’s life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus – the Greatest Show on Earth.

Photo by Johan Persson

Cy Coleman’s wonderfully exuberant score includes the hits Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute.

Photo by Johan Persson

Brian Conley is one of the UK’s most versatile actors and performers. He most recently scored a huge success as ‘Fagin’ in the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver!which stormed the Theatre Royal in 2012. His recent West Endstage credits include ‘Edna Turnblad’ in Hairsprayat the Shaftesbury Theatre and ‘Caractacus Potts’ in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.  One of the highlights of his career was originating the role of another great iconic American showman ‘Al Jolson’ in Jolson at the Victoria Palace for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.  On television he is probably best known for playing ‘Doug Digby’ in The Grimleys, his ITV1 show The Brian Conley Show, his hugely successful An Audience with Brian Conley and numerous Royal Variety Performances.

Linzi Hateley as 'Chairy'.

Photo by Johan Persson

Linzi Hateley is an award winning actress who has starred on Broadway, in the West End, with the RSC and at the National Theatre. She created the role of ‘Mrs Banks’ in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as ‘The Narrator’ in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her many other West End credits include ‘Donna’ in Mamma Mia!, ‘Roxie’ in Chicago, ‘Rizzo’ in Grease and ‘Eponine’ in Les Misérables. She most recently appeared in the National Theatre’s smash hit production of London Road.

Barnum was a smash-hit when it opened on Broadway in 1980. Starring Glenn Close and Jim Dale, it won three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. When Barnum opened at the London Palladium in 1981 Michael Crawford took the lead, winning an Olivier Award for his performance.

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnum has music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble in a revised version by Cameron Mackintosh and Mark Bramble. The Jowheretogo team have reviewed the show earlier in the tour and you can read their thoughts here: Barnum Tour Review

  

Photos by Johan Persson  

Tickets:

Photo by Johan Persson

Barnumappears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 February 2015. Tickets are available from £21 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Review: Barnum at Hull New Theatre

The Greatest Show on Earth

Photo: Johan Persson

Barnum

Hull New Theatre

Until 25^thOctober then on tour

Photo: Johan Persson

Phineas Taylor Barnum was America’s second millionaire, bankrupted twice yet still died America’s richest man. This show is a lavish musical which is in the spirit of Barnum himself. It is about giving the audience a good time from the very beginning.

Photo:

Johan Persson

Before the curtain goes up the ensemble is mingling in the crowd showing off their circus tricks and trying to get the audience to take part. The Razzmatazz continues as the curtain goes up as the 11 piece orchestra and the acrobats join the circus performers. P T Barnum himself would have been impressed by the colourful display that filled the stage.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The story broadly follows a number of aspects of Barnum’s life. Brian Conley is called upon to interact at times with the crowd and improvises as well as many stand-up comics. He also walks the literal tight-rope in a brilliant performance as the man credited with been a legend of self-promotion and advertising. The wonderful Linzi Hateley plays Chairy Barnum and there is lots of onstage chemistry between these two pivotal characters. 

The singing is always top notch. Linzi Hateley, Kimberly Blake, as the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, and Landi Oshinowo, in both her roles as Joice Heth and the Blues Singer, are are all note perfect with a range of delightful numbers. 

Photo:

Johan Persson

 Mikey Jay-Heath as Tom Thumb and Brian Conley hold the singing honours for the lads.

Photo:

Johan Persson

The set is visually stunning as it doubles as the arena for many of Barnum’s stunts. Even the set changes were turned into circus style routines which had a round of applause from the appreciative audience. The only quibble would be that it was a shame that the talented orchestra was hidden away for much of the show.

Photo:

Johan Persson

It has long been a bug bear of the Jowheretogo team that there is a lack of shows, outside of panto season, which are suitable for the whole family. Barnum is one such show that will keep the whole family entertained.  On a number of occasions the stage is filled with circus frivolity .

Barnum the musical is a stunning exploration of a larger than life character.

Photo: Johan Persson

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Tour dates include:

Photo:

Johan Persson

Edinburgh Playhouse 28 Oct - 1 Nov 2014 - 0844 871 301

Tue - Sat 7.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm

Newcastle Theatre Royal 17 - 28 Feb 2015 - 08448 11 21 21

Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed 2pm (18 Feb only)
Thu 2pm & Sat 2.30pm

Preview: Autumn '14/Spring '15 season at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Exciting Season Ahead at Newcastle's Theatre Royal

The chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a dazzling new autumn ‘14 / spring ‘15 season full of nail-biting drama, high-octane musicals and breathtaking dance, comedy and opera. Once again the Theatre Royal is bringing the world’s very finest theatre to the heart of the North East.

To kill a Mockingbird

Four major new dramas will visit in the Spring. Direct from the West End comes a critically acclaimed new stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To kill a Mockingbird (20-25 April 2015). An utterly enchanting and enthralling production from the award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre, it captures all the warmth and poignancy of this best-loved classic.

Also adapted from a bestselling book comes Dead Simple (26 - 30 May ‘15), based on the work of International bestselling crime thriller novelist PeterJames.  Directed by Olivier award-winner Ian Talbot and adapted by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, this gripping, chilling, thriller is full of James’ trademark suspense, twists and turns. In addition, before it heads to the West End, Theatre Royal is honoured to host Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest (8 – 13 June ‘15) starring none other than Emmy-award winning David Suchet as Lady Bracknell.  One of the funniest plays in the English language, Wilde’s superb satire on Victorian manners is full of delightful repartee and hilarious pomposity. 

 

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

Following the huge success of nostalgic musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, the same team are back with another big hitter, the sequel: Dreamboats and Miniskirts (20 – 24 Jan ‘15).  Set this time in 1963, we meet up again with Norman and Sue and Bobby and Laura and see how their lives are developing against the swinging backdrop of the Beatles and Merseyside sound.  Like it’s predecessor, the show is packed with the biggest hits of the era including A Picture of You; It’s In His Kiss; and Hippy Hippy Shake. 

Musical lovers will also delight in the return of a true classic – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (23 - 27 June ’15).  As refreshing and thrilling as the day it was written, this sunny show celebrates the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit and overflows with well-known songs and boot-stomping dances.   It is a brand new production from Music & Lyrics, the award-winning producers of The King & I and Fiddler on the Roof.

 

La Traviata

Opera North are back with an enticing new programme which draws works from each of the last four centuries and balances the comic with the serious, and the famous with the little-known.  Alessandro Talevi directs a youthful international cast in the company’s first new staging in 15 years of possibly the most popular opera of all time, Verdi's profoundly moving La Traviata (12 & 14 Nov ’14; 4 & 6 March ’15). Meanwhile, Jo Davies brings a fresh approach to Mozart’s effervescent comedy The Marriage of Figaro (5 & 7 March ‘15).

The Company's first ever production of The Coronation of Poppea (15 Nov ’14) is a stylish take on Monteverdi's revenge tragedy, performed in his own translation, and conducted by pre-eminent early music specialist Laurence Cummings. Revivals of Smetana’s irresistible The Bartered Bride (11 & 13 Nov 14) and Falla’s exuberant La Vida Breve (3 March ‘15) offer a wonderful celebration of folk-inspired melodies in two very different forms, one beautifully comic and the other tragic and moving. The latter is presented in a double-bill with a new staging of Gianni Schicchi (3 March ‘15), directed by Christopher Alden, Opera North’s first production of Puccini's only comic opera in 25 years.

Bizet’s popular opera Carmen is the inspiration for Matthew Bourne’s internationally acclaimed dance thriller The Car Man (28 April – 9 May ‘15). First seen in 2000, and winning the Evening Standard Award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’, the show features Bizet’s powerful and instantly recognisable score, but transferred to 1960s America  where Lez Brotherston’s epic design, Chris Davey’s evocative lighting and of course Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling make for an incredible production.

Scotland’s national dance company Scottish Ballet are returning to the Theatre to take audiences on a journey back into Clara’s magical dream world with Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece The Nutcracker (11-14 Feb ‘15).  Originally devised in 1973 by the Company’s founding artistic director, PeterDarrell, this production presents a sumptuous world of plush Victoriana full of festive fare and childhood charm.

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Several of the season’s new shows have been released for sale early due to anticipated high demand. They include the National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, set to visit 26 Jan – 7 Feb ’15on its first UK tour.  Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel received seven Olivier Awards in 2013 including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.  It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and has been seen by over 200,000 people during its run in the West End.

 

The Bodyguard

One of the year’s most hotly anticipated shows, the multi award winning West End musical The Bodyguard (Wed 1 – Sat 18 April ‘15) will visit next Spring on its first ever UK tour.  Booking opened in April in order to accommodate heavy early demand.  Produced by the North East’s own Michael Harrison and David Ian and based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, it opened to rave reviews in London’s West Endin December 2012, where it continues to play to packed houses and standing ovations. It has since been nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design, and is 2015’s ‘Must See’.

Two leading lights from the world of comedy will be bringing their unique brands of humour to the theatre for the new season.  David Baddiel (1 Dec ‘14) is back with his first full show for fifteen years, critically acclaimed on the West End circuit and originator of a social media storm.   Al Murray (8 Feb ‘15), aka ‘The Pub Landlord’ is celebrating twenty years as Britain’s favourite publican and bringing his brand new show One Man, One Guvnor  to wow North East audiences in the new year. Tickets are already on sale for both.  The comedians join Dave Gorman on the line-up, here with his brand new show on Sunday 9 November.

Drama already on sale at the Theatre includes Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee (14-19 July) starring Jason Durr as Hercule Poirot as well as the longest running show in the history of British Theatre, Christie’s masterpiece the brilliant The Mousetrap (Mon 1 – Sat 6 Sept). The National Theatre’s award-winning comedy One Man, Two Guvnors is back for the second time 28 July – 2 August following a sell-out first visit here, and of course the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will return this autumn following a hugely successful season last year. The 2014 season features an enthralling trio of new productions – Henry IV, Part I (25 September – 4 October) and Henry IV, Part II (26 Sept – 4 Oct) and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (7 - 11 October) – which are on sale now.   

Jeeves and Wooster

Forthcoming hit West Endcomedy Perfect Nonsense (Tue 14 – Sat 18 Oct) follows hot on the RSC’s heels, featuring P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act Jeeves and Wooster and starring James Lance and John Gordon Sinclair in the title roles.  Following a sold-out 2013 tour, Fascinating Aïda are here with their terrific new show Charm Offensive for one night only on Sunday 19 October, and last but not least, drop everything forThe Full Monty (Mon 27 Oct – Sat 1 Nov), the hilarious stage show straight from the West End based on the much loved 1997 film.

 

Cinderella

Dance already on sale includes Northern Ballet’s enchanting new adaptation of the classic fairy-tale Cinderella set in imperial Russia (Tue 21 – Sat 25 Oct)  and running concurrently their 35 minute performance  for little ones Three Little Pigs (Fri 24 Oct). 

Lord of the Flies

 In November, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventuresdancers will unite with young talent from the North East in an extraordinary adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, Lord of the Flies (Wed 5 – Sat 8 Nov).

Shrek The Musical

Three shows already on sale which will appeal to younger audiences are Peppa Pig’s Big Splash (Sat 30 – Sun 31 Aug) – the new show from everyone’s favourite little piggy; Dinosaur Zoo (Thu 30 Oct – Sat 1 Nov) bringing the legendary prehistoric creatures to life on stage;, and not forgetting Spring blockbuster Shrek The Musical (Wed 11 – Sun 29 Mar ‘15), based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film.

Booking is also already open for Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison’s exhilarating musical Barnum (Tue 17 – Sat 28 Feb ‘15) which celebrates the irrepressible imagination and dreams of America’s Greatest Showman and stars Brian Conley in the title role.

Top Hat

For those who can’t wait til the new year for their musical kicks, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s epic musical CATS has arrived this week (Tue 1 – Sat 12 Jul), followed in quick succession by rock and roll sensation The Buddy Holly Story (4 – 9 Aug) and Irving Berlin’s Top Hat (Tue 9 – Sat 20 Sept), which visits Newcastle for the very first time and is packed full of the King of Swing’s greatest hits.

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

With 60,000 tickets already sold for our famous 14/15 Pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (25 Nov ’14 -18 Jan ‘15), and it set to become our best and fastest selling panto of all time, fans better be quick if they want to see Clive, Danny Chris and the gang in another spectacular production jam-packed with fun, adventure and comedy.

Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows on Monday 30 June, before the general public on Friday 4 July, and receive 20% off tickets, as well as discounts on drinks at our bars, exclusive ticket exchange, reduced booking fees and Friends’ prices will never change. To become a Friend and book early, please contact the Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or sign up online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

Tickets for all new shows in the autumn‘14 / spring’15 season go on public sale on Friday 4 July.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk