Barnum 🎪

The Alhambra Theatre.

This week, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Press Night for Barnum at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. A special thank you to Emma for this invitation.

There is something instantly transporting about Barnum. From the moment the curtain rises, the production invites you into a world where spectacle reigns supreme and reality bends just enough to let wonder take centre stage.

At its heart, this is a story about ambition, illusion and the fine line between truth and performance. Following the life of P. T. Barnum, played by the very talented Lee Mead, the show charts his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most famous showmen in history.

It feels playful, a little cheeky at times, and completely committed to entertaining you.

The ensemble whirl, tumble and vault with exhilarating precision, transforming the stage into a living carousel. Acrobats thread through dance numbers; silks unfurl; bodies stack and spin in human architecture that feels both playful and perilous.

The circus sequences pulse with colour and velocity, and for long stretches, you genuinely forget you are watching a musical. It feels like the theatre has turned into a full blown big top, with those proper gasp out loud moments that ripple through the audience.

What I really enjoyed though was how it balances all that chaos with something a bit more grounded. The whole production just feels alive. There is always something happening, something to watch, and it keeps you completely engaged the entire time.

You can tell the cast are having fun with it too, which makes such a difference, it is infectious. This is one of those shows that does exactly what you want it to do. It entertains, it surprises, and it leaves you smiling long after you have left the theatre.

Barnum is at The Alhambra Theatre from the 31st March to the 4th April 2026. Tickets are still available, and you can buy your tickets here.