Matt Rawle steps onto the tightrope as Barnum continues UK and Ireland tour

20-08-26

Matt Rawle has returned to the role of P.T. Barnum as the major new touring production of Barnum continues its journey across the UK and Ireland.

Rawle, whose West End credits include Cabaret, Evita and Les Misérables, began performances on 11 August and will lead the company through to the tour’s final performance at Malvern Theatres on 31 October 2026.

He reprises a role he previously played to critical acclaim at the Watermill Theatre, stepping into the touring production following Lee Mead.

Starring alongside Rawle are Monique Young as Barnum’s wife Charity, Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter as Joice Heth and Fergus Rattigan as General Tom Thumb.

Featuring music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble, Barnum tells the story of legendary showman P.T. Barnum as his ambition and imagination propel him towards increasingly spectacular ventures.

The musical features songs including “Join the Circus”, “Colours of My Life”, “Come Follow the Band” and “Love Makes Such Fools of Us All”.

The production combines musical theatre with live circus, featuring a company of actor-musicians, acrobats and circus performers.

Rawle is also following one of Barnum‘s most famous theatrical traditions by taking to the tightrope during the show. Michael Crawford famously performed a nightly tightrope walk when he starred in the musical at the London Palladium.

Originally produced at the Watermill Theatre, the new touring production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with choreography by Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse and co-choreography by Matt Nicholson.

Amy Panter serves as circus director, with Zippos Circus and the National Centre for Circus Arts acting as circus consultants.

The creative team also includes arranger, orchestrator and musical supervisor George Dyer, set and costume designer Lee Newby, lighting designer Jai Morjaria, sound designer Tom Marshall and musical director Kevin Oliver Jones.

Having opened at Theatre Royal Windsor in February, Barnum now continues to Cambridge Arts Theatre from 18 to 22 August before visiting the Princess Theatre in Torquay from 25 to 29 August.

September sees the show visit Curve Leicester, Milton Keynes Theatre, Liverpool Empire and Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre before arriving at New Wimbledon Theatre in London from 29 September to 3 October.

The final month of the tour takes Barnum to Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Belfast Grand Opera House and Eastbourne Congress Theatre before its final engagement at Malvern Festival Theatre from 27 to 31 October 2026.

Barnum remaining 2026 tour dates

18–22 August – Cambridge Arts Theatre
25–29 August – Princess Theatre, Torquay
1–5 September – Curve, Leicester
8–12 September – Milton Keynes Theatre
15–19 September – Liverpool Empire
22–26 September – Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
29 September–3 October – New Wimbledon Theatre, London
6–10 October – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
13–17 October – Grand Opera House, Belfast
20–24 October – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
27–31 October – Malvern Festival Theatre

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