REVIEW: Barnum (UK Tour)

Barnum - ★★★☆☆ - Glitzy flim-flam

Festival Theatre: Tue 6 – Sat 10 Oct 2026
Review by Rebecca Mahar

Review commissioned by, and originally published on All Edinburgh Theatre, 7 October 2026. Edited by Thom Dibdin.

The Watermill Theatre’s touring revival of Barnum: The Circus Musical kicks off at the Festival Theatre with blinding light, plenty of sparkle, and a host of actor-musician-acrobats bringing unrivalled energy to the stage.

Mark Bramble’s book, itself, has tarnished since show’s 1980 premiere, though, lending an overall air of humbug to this tale of the Prince of Humbugs, produced on this tour by Bill Kenwright Ltd, with direction from the Watermill’s Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse.

A scene from Barnum. Pic: Pamela Rath Photography.

Visit All Edinburgh Theatre to read the full review!

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