Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – until Saturday 28th March 2026
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
5*****
Oh Wow!, The West End has come to Aylesbury! The set was brilliant it was like you were in a theatre in the 1800’s, it was like it was a permanent feature, It was exceptional. The start of the show was initiated by the Ringmaster Eamonn Cox a great clear booming voice, it captivated you, you were transported back in time. Then the curtains opened to acrobatics and hoop work so much going on. The two performers that caught my eye were Emily Odunsi – a gymnastic that has represented Great Britain and Niki Tsonopoulou an aerialist.
There was humour, amazing talent and over 150 musical instruments played. Not only did the cast perform acts of gymnastics, aerial work, tight rope walking but they played an array of instruments and they sang, extremely multi-talented. Lee Mead was brilliant it wasn’t like you were watching a performance as much it was like you were there watching the event live, he was word, song perfect, incredible and along with this Barnum’s wife Charity played superbly by Monique Young. Then there was the singing nightingale – Jenny Lind played by Penny Ashmore that sang beautifully but also danced on her toe blocks and played the harp!, and Dominique Planter played Joice Heth and had a superb voice.
All of the cast should be mentioned, they were amazing and looked as they were enjoying the show as much as the audience, the costumes were very good, striking what was there not to like? The show got a standing ovation at the end and very well deserved to all on stage and the ones we don’t see that worked in the background. We mustn’t forgot Jumbo that was brilliant elephant performed by puppetry.
This story is about P T Barnum and American showman and politician who was good at hoaxes – a load of humbug! He purchased a museum where people could visit and see curiosities and some of his hoaxes but it burnt down, he then got an opportunity to promote a singer Jenny Lind, the story told by P T Barnum is performed to perfection and if you get a chance to see it – do, its not to be missed.