Barnum – Theatre in the Park, Chichester

Tamsin Carroll and Christopher Fitzgerald in Barnum at the Theatre in the Park, Chichester. Picture: Roy Tan

Barnum is performed at Theatre in the Park, Oaklands Park, Chichester until 31 August.

With the Chichester Festival Theatre out of action while redevelopment work is in progress, the need for a temporary auditorium has been solved by the erection of a huge tented structure in the park behind the theatre. And in what more appropriate structure could a revival of Barnum be staged?

Produced on Broadway in 1980, the musical starred Jim Dale as P T Barnum, and when it opened later in the West End the title role went to Michael Crawford.

The show is an impressionistic look at events in Barnum’s life – a series of snapshots interwoven with song, dance and circus tricks. While these lend themselves well to spectacular interpretation and presentation, the razzle dazzle glosses over the fact that the musical lacks substance. Too often the impression fails to make any impression at all. An example being Barnum’s affair with opera singer Jenny Lind, which is over as soon as it begins – a coy reference has the pair climbing a spiral staircase – presumably to a bedroom.

The score is not memorable, although ‘The Colours of my Life’ has enjoyed a life outside of the show and ‘Come Follow the Band’ is the tune that the audience takes home with them.

If the show has weaknesses, this production does not. Timothy Sheader’s direction (shared with choreographer Liam Steel) is tight and extraordinary inventive. The lack of furniture is resolved by the bodies of the ensemble being used instead – stairs, a dressing table, materialise before the audience’s eyes. Other impressive delights are the aerialists with green umbrellas creating illusions with a sylvan setting.

Steel and co-choreographer Andrew Wright have created some delightful routines that are slick and as graceful as they are energetic. The creative team ensures that the stage is filled with colour and spectacle. A particular highlight is ‘Black and White’ presented in vaudeville style.

Visiting American actor Christopher Fitzgerald plays Barnum, engaging with the audience right from the start and demonstrating the many strands of his talent – singer, dancer, acrobat and tightrope walker. ‘Museum Song’ is delivered at speed in the style of a Gilbert and Sullivan patter song. As his forever practical wife Charity, Tamsin Carroll provides the right counter balance to her husband’s dreams and schemes.

Three performers step out of the ensemble and take on cameo roles. Aretha Ayeh is the liveliest, high-kicking 160-year-old that you will ever see; Jack North has Tom Thumb tap-dancing up a storm, while Anna O’Byrne as Jenny Lind blends comedy with a superb voice.

Full credit must be given to the ensemble for their energy and diverse acrobatic and circus skills who contribute to the rich and dazzling froth that surrounds this weak musical.

 Barrie Jerram