Barnum

A great deal of effort to create the appropriate circus atmosphere was evident as you walked into the Forum with lots of smiley and enthusiastic young people greeting theatre goers. We were soon transported into the world of P.T Barnum, everyone was well drilled and bursting with energy.

Christopher Barker did well in the title role, with a good blend of sentimentality and cheek, his solo ‘The Prince of Humbug’ was very effective. Hayley Dent as Charity Barnum his long suffering wife gave a self assured, strong, convincing performance and brought just the right amount of humour to her part, her singing as always lovely. Scott McGuckin was well cast as the Ringmaster, he performed with authority and aplomb. Jenny Lind the Swedish Nightingale played by Gemma Collins did a good job, this role is quite a difficult one and vocally challenging. The main leads were well supported by Will Patrick as Bailey, Charlotte Cooper Tom Thumb, Karen Barker Blues Singer, I thought that the musical numbers were good especially ‘One Brick at a Time’ and ‘Come Follow the Band’. There was a whole host of circus skills and magic tricks to wow the audience. This circus spectacular owed much to the brilliant Cumbria Pole Art dancers acrobatic team, and the silks on stage Aerial Dancers, they really brought an added touch to the evening’s entertainment.

The set worked well, the costumes were very colourful and not forgetting sound, lighting and the musicians. Altogether an enjoyable evening.

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