The tour is set to open at the Theatre Royal Windsor on the 30th January 2026.
Bill Kenwright Ltd has announced a major UK tour of Barnum, the musical which celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P.T. Barnum.
Following its run in Windsor, the production will then head to Manchester Palace Theatre (10 – 14 February),York Grand Opera House (24 – 28 February),Brighton Theatre Royal (3-7 March), Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre (17 – 21 March), Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (24-28 March) and Birmingham Hippodrome (21 – 25 April). Further dates have yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that West End star Lee Mead will star in the production as Barnum himself. He is best known for his performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde. Further casting has yet to be announced.
Barnum first appeared in the UK when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford in 1981. it includes the songs “Join the Circus”, “Colours of My Life”, “Come Follow the Band”, and “Love Makes Such Fools of Us All”.
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
With direction by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead; The Last Five Years) and choreography by Oti Mabuse, the show features music by multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and book by Mark Bramble.
The creative team includes Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), George Dyer (Musical Supervisor, Arrangements & Orchestrations), Amy Panter (Circus Director), Matt Nicholson (Associate Choreographer) and Nick Lodge (Associate Sound Designer).
To find out more visit: https://www.kenwright.com/barnum-2026-uk-tour/