The brand-new stage adaptation, based on the beloved musical movie released in 2017, will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett. Photo by Sebastian Nevols ©20th Century Studios
The Greatest Showman will make its world premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2026. The new stage adaptation features songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Tim Federle.
Based on the global movie phenomenon and inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman charts his rise from poverty to creating the world-renowned Barnum & Bailey circus. It's a story that showcases how Barnum's values and relationships are tested along the way. The musical will feature the well-known songs from the movie, including "A Million Dreams" and "Come Alive", as well as brand-new numbers written especially for the musical.
Oliver Tompsett (&Juliet, Broadway and Shaftesbury Theatre) and Samantha Barks (Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) will lead the production as P.T. and Charity Barnum. They will be joined by Lorna Courtney (&Juliet, Stephen Sondheim Theatre and Toronto) as Anne Wheeler, Ben Joyce (Shucked, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) as Phillip Carlyle, Vajèn van den Bosch (Frozen, Netherlands) as Jenny Lind and Malinda Parris (Hercules, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Lettie Lutz.
The cast also includes as Caroline/Young Charity - Mia Raggio, Angelica Pearl Scott and Maya Sewrey;as Helen – Harly Gill, Ellie McArdle and Eleanor Sebastian; and Young Barnum - Max Bispham, Joel Tennant and Clark Young. Josh St. Clair (Alternate P.T. Barnum), Katie Tonkinson (Standby Anne Wheeler). Making up the ensemble are Derek Aidoo, Cornelius Atkinson, Matt Bateman, Nikki Bentley, Courtenay Brady, Thea Bunting, Amara Campbell, Jonathan Cordin, Angus Good, Ryesha Higgs, Barney Hudson, Annie Knight, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Liam Marcellino, Ayesha Maynard, Suzie McAdam, Emily McCarthy, Will Meager, Michael Patterson, Stuart Matthew Price, Emile Ruddock, Annie Southall, Zoe Schubert, with Abigail Climer, Bobby Cookson, Katrina Dix, Zack Guest, Georgie Hutchinson, Fallon Mondlane, Stephen Rolley, Jess Smith, Blake Tuke, Santino Zapico as Swings.
Completing the creative team are Alex Lacamoire (Music Supervision, Incidental & Dance Music Arrangements and Orchestrations), David Korins (Scenic Design), Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser (Costume Design); Natasha Katz (Lighting Design); Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), George Reeve (Video Design), Lorenzo Pisoni (Circus Creation and Design), Josh Marquette (Hair and Wig Design), Milagros Medina-Cerdeira (Make Up Design), Jeremy Chernick (Special Effects Design), Skylar Fox (Illusions), Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (Casting Director) and Keston & Keston (Children's General Manager and Casting Director). Justin Paul is also providing Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements.
The Greatest Showman will play at Bristol Hippodrome from 15 March to 10 May 2026.
