Music by Cy Coleman – Lyrics by Michael Stewart – Book
by Mark Bramble
Directed by Anita Davenport – Musical Direction by
Rhys MadiganChoreographed by Jodi Hammond – Designed by Steve Galinec and Ian Croker
Costumes designed by Chelsea de Rooy – Lighting Designed by Phil Goodwin
Presented by The Canberra Philharmonic Society
Erindale Theatre 23rd August to 8th September, 2018
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
He was known as the Prince of Humbug, and reputedly
responsible for the saying “There’s a sucker born every minute", but Phineas
Taylor Barnum was also the man responsible for the longevity of the modern
circus when he established and toured his “Greatest Show On Earth” the length
and breadth of America.
Cy Coleman’s musical “Barnum” celebrates the legend rather
than the man, with a score crammed with toe-tapping songs and a cast which
includes some of Barnum’s most famous attractions in Jumbo the elephant,
General Tom Thumb, and Joice Heth, the 160 year old nurse of George Washington
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| Canberra Philharmonic Society's "BARNUM" Photo: Ross Gould |
For this exuberant production, stylishly directed by
Anita Davenport, the Erindale Theatre stage is transformed into a giant circus
ring to capture the magical milieu of the circus. Acrobats swing from trapezes,
jugglers, dancers and unicyclists compete for attention in Jodi Hammond’s
cleverly choreographed production numbers. Rhys Madigan adds to the excitement
by accurately capturing the brassy circus sound with his excellent band.
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| Greg Sollis (Barnum) - Julia Walker (Chairy Barnum) Photo: Ross Gould |
Greg Sollis gives a masterful performance as P.T.
Barnum. Commanding attention from the outset, he sings his songs with
conviction, finds the humanity in his characterization, and even manages to
juggle and walk a tightrope with aplomb. Matching him every inch of the way, as
his long-suffering wife Chairy, Julia Walker sings beautifully, and imbues her
character with a lovely mixture of warmth and feistiness which makes their
scenes together quite delightful.
The show is packed with stand-out feature roles in
which Demi Smith (Jenny Lind), Meaghan Stewart (Joice Heth), Mark Zatschler
(Tom Thumb), Kate Tricks (Blues singer), Paul Sweeney (in a variety of cameos) and
Jano Simko, who brings his circus skills and effervescent personality to the
role of the Ringmaster, are particularly memorable.
No doubt adjustments will be made to the lighting
design so that important characters are not lost in the gloom, and to the sound
balance which, on opening night, resulted in the band sometimes overwhelming
the singers, but these technical blemishes apart, this superbly performed
production with its excellent costumes and setting is a ‘must see’ for anyone
looking for a joyous, entertaining night in the theatre.