Brigstocke brings his own Barnum

P.T Barnum, 'The Greatest Showman on Earth' is certainly getting a lot of love right now. With a huge blockbuster film having just been released and a brand new revival of the musical playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory, 2018 is certainly looking like the year of Barnum.

After opening in November to some mixed reviews I was slightly dubious about what to expect when entering the Menier Chocolate Factory. One of London's most renowned off-West End theatres, I was full of anticipation to see if the reviews I had read were true...

And from the off Barnum did not disappoint. The Menier has transformed itself into a menagerie, with cloth draping the foyer, old advertising posters pinned to the walls and some ensemble members performing magic tricks as you waited, you are transported back in time as soon as you step through the front door. Stepping down (through some more draped cloth) into the performance space the magic continued. Set in the round and with a small raised circular platform in the centre the space felt intimate and cosy, as well as getting you into the party mood with an array of multicoloured lights.

From the first twinkling sound of Marcus Brigstocke on his little piano the show erupted into a explosion of colour, people and noise and there it stayed throughout the 2 hour performance. The show ran like a well oiled machine with a cast of just 30 members I was amazed how they managed to fit such terrific choreography, acrobatics and other wonderment into such a small space without all falling over each other. The intimacy of Menier added to the magic of Barnum, as an audience member you really felt like a member of the show as you interacted with every cast member. It took all my might not to get up and join them!

When the show first opened, poor Brigstocke (the man taking on the title role) was slated by the critics for not fully embodying the charismatic showman that was Barnum. However, I think they were slightly too cruel in judging him so harshly. Yes, perhaps you didn't fully believe that Brigstocke was the 'Greatest Showman On Earth' but he brought a sense of his own showmanship. With a background in stand-up comedy, Brigstocke landed every joke with perfect precision, and his charm shone through the crazy colours and the amass of dancers. Okay, he didn't complete the tight-rope but in failing to do so Brigstocke made the audience fall in love with him even more, and not to mention make us laugh with his ad-libbed jokes (all kept within character I must say).

What I learnt from Barnum was to not judge a show by the critics and to go and see, and judge, for yourself! I left the stage/tent with a new found love for the Menier Chocolate Factory and a sense of great joy. The critics may not have loved it but I think P.T Barnum himself would have approved.

Review written by Abigail Slocombe

View our show pages for more information about Barnum, Menier Chocolate Factory.