Barnum

KYMT’s colourful and lively production of “Barnum” was a fitting tribute to the real-life “Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baileys Greatest Show on Earth” touring the USA since 1905 and, sadly, closing in May of this year. Re-siting the orchestra pit to a high level upstage, and continuing the set out into the auditorium successfully forced the action downstage, thus engaging with the audience to a greater extent – true circus-style.

This youth cast made full use of the near-audience acting area (not without some gentle persuasion I am sure!). The chorus brought life and enthusiasm to an already bright, colourful and exciting show – but I would be disappointed if this wasn’t the case – it being a youth production!  In the title role, Ross MacKenzie  gave a spirited performance to this character – rarely leaving the stage and involved in most of the musical numbers – not forgetting his well-executed barrel-walking! One little bit of advice, Ross, please slow down your dialogue. I was tending to miss some lines in your enthusiasm to get it over!  As Joice Heth, “the oldest woman alive”, the young Vanessa Crowe gave a very believable performance. Her well-rehearsed stumblings bringing her precariously close to the laps of the front row audience.  Blair Hollingworth as the Ringmaster gave the necessary treatment to this small but important role, popping up in various locations to add his links within the overall plot.  Niamh Corkey gave a lovely performance as Jenny Lind – the Swedish nightingale – and, indeed her very pure soprano voice did justice to her title. Niamh also successfully controlled the Scandinavian accent throughout.  Tom Thumb (Holly McIlhatton) brought fun to the “smallest part in the show”. Her handling of “Bigger isn’t Better” together with the oversized furniture and the impressive elephant legs & trunk, brought well-deserved audience response.

The highlight of the show for me, however, was Mhairi Urquhart’s portrayal of Chairy Barnum. The character covers a huge spectrum of emotions from extreme happiness to abject distress and this Mhairi handled with apparent ease. Her singing too, was, without fail, confidently performed, but, to conclude these superlatives, Mhairi’s delivery of dialogue would do justice to any professional actor – the brief pauses, just in the correct places, being the icing on the cake.

Direction by Monica Holland and Musical Direction by Martin Tollick were all well-handled – not always an easy task with an exuberant youth company! Sets and costumes from KYMT stock were as usual very appropriate and well managed.

Well done KYMT – keep up the good work.

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