Marcus Brigstocke and Laura Pitt-Pulford. Picture: Adam Bennett
Comedian and writer Marcus Brigstocke (Spamalot) will take on the title role in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Barnum which begins previewing on 25 November ahead of an opening night on 5 December.
The first major London revival of the show since the classic American musical first played the West End 36 years ago, will also feature Laura Pitt-Pulford (Mack and Mabel) as Barnum’s beloved wife Charity.
Due to run until 3 March 2018, the cast will also include: Tupele Dorgu (Legally Blonde) as Joice Heth, Harry Francis (Fiddler On the Roof) as Tom Thumb and Celinde Schoenmaker (The Phantom of the Opera) as Jenny Lind. Also cast are: Danny Collins, Eamonn Cox, Rosie Fletcher, Ainsley Hall Ricketts, Courtney Hows, Bethany Huckle, Philip Marriott, Dominic Owen and Lucie-Mae Summer. Full casting will be announced at a later date.
Featuring music by Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity), with lyrics by Michael Stewart (Hello, Dolly!, 42nd Street) and book by Mark Bramble (the co-author of 42nd Street and director of the current revival), the vibrant Tony Award-winning musical premiered on Broadway in 1980, a year ahead of its West End debut.
The story of P.T. Barnum, the 19th century travelling circus owner known as the ‘Greatest Showman on Earth’, Menier’s production will be directed by Gordon Greenberg. The creative team will also include choreographer Rebecca Howell, circus director Scott Maidment, designer Paul Farnsworth, lighting designer Philip Gladwell, designer Gregory Clarke, orchestrator Chris Walker and musical director Alex Parker.
The original 1980 Broadway production featured a career-defining and award-winning performance from former Carry On star Jim Dale who played the title role alongside Glenn Close as Charity.
Michael Crawford also won acclaim and an Olivier Award when he first stepped into the central role when the show debuted in the West End. He would go on to play the role again on tour between 1984 and 1986.
Other productions include the 2013 Chichester Festival Revival which featured Christopher Fitzgerald as Barnum along with a touring version of the co-production with Cameron Mackintosh which opened in Leicester in September 2014 with Brian Conley in the leading role.
Angela Thomas
www.menierchocolatefactory.com
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