Lee Mead to star in new Barnum tour

Bill Kenwright Ltd has announced a major new UK tour for hit musical Barnum.

This acclaimed new production of Barnum, directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical), first premiered last year at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury.

West End and TV star Lee Mead (Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) is set to star as PT Barnum in the show.

Further casting will be announced.

The Barnum tour starts at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 30 January 2026, and then visits Manchester, York, Brighton, Cardiff, Aylesbury, and Birmingham, with further dates to be announced.

Choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, the production features a dynamic ensemble of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, and trained acrobats and circus arts adding an extra layer of circus spectacle to the show.

Barnum - Starring Lee Mead (UK Tour) — *Barnum – Starring Lee Mead (UK Tour)*

The production won wide audience and critical acclaim when it premiered last summer 2024 at the Watermill, with the Observer hailing the show as a ★★★★★ “dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical”.

Barnum’s rousing score, with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble (42nd Street), includes classics such as “There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute,” “Join the Circus,” “The Colors of My Life” and “Come Follow The Band.”

Barnum is a joyful and moving musical portrait of the 19th century’s greatest showbiz legend, PT Barnum, tracing the career of America’s greatest showman from 1835 to the year he joined James A. Bailey, to forming The Greatest Show On Earth.

Joining Johnathan O’Boyle and Oti Mabuse in the creative team are set and costume design by Lee Newby, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by George Dyer, lighting design by Jai Morjaria, sound design by Tom Marshall, and circus direction by Amy Panter. Matt Nicholson is associate choreographer and Nick Lodge is associate sound designer.

Jenny Seagrove, Chairperson at Bill Kenwright Ltd said in a statement: “I was captivated when I saw Barnum at the Watermill Theatre last year and knew immediately that this was a show I wanted to bring to audiences across the country. Our spectacular new staging will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing international circus acts led by the wonderful Lee Mead playing the title role.”

The Watermill Theatre production originally starred Matt Rawle (Evita) as PT Barnum, with Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, and Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind.

The Barnum tour is billed as “Lee Mead stars as the world’s Greatest Showman”, and a number of other shows also tackle the story and themes of Barnum, including current London hit Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular, which is a circus show featuring music from The Greatest Showman movie – which is about PT Barnum.

Also, Disney is working on a stage musical of their movie The Greatest Showman, with The Greatest Showman The New Musical coming to Bristol – and hopefully then London – in 2026.

Manchester, York, Brighton, Aylesbury – on sale for ATG+ members at 10am on Thursday 19 June; on general sale at 10am Friday 20 June

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