Barnum, the classic Broadway musical by Cy Coleman (music), Michael Stewart (lyrics) and Mark Bramble (book), has unveiled its seasoned cast of West End performers set to join the production next year.

The production, originally staged at the Watermill Theatre, will roll into Bournemouth for one week only - from the 16 to the 20 June 2026.

West End favourite and TV star Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Mead, who rose to fame after winning Any Dream Will Do, is well known for his acclaimed stage performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde. He now takes centre stage in the title role, following in the footsteps of Michael Crawford, who famously originated the part in the UK.

Joining Mead is a standout supporting cast led by Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter (The Lion King) as Joice Heth, and Fergus Rattigan (The Wizard of Oz) as General Tom Thumb.

They are joined by a large ensemble featuring Elena Buck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterling and Niki Tsonopoulou.

Celebrating the life and ambition of the world’s greatest showman, Barnum tells the story of P.T. Barnum’s rise from humble beginnings to global fame, alongside his wife Charity, through a world of spectacle, imagination and risk-taking. The production will feature an ensemble of actor-musicians, acrobats and circus performers, bringing Barnum’s vision to life with large-scale theatrical flair.

The score includes classic songs by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble, including favourites such as Join the Circus, Come Follow the Band, Colours of My Life and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.

The new tour is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse, with circus direction by Amy Panter and support from Zippos Circus and The National Centre for Circus Arts. The creative team also includes George Dyer, Lee Newby, Jai Morjaria and Tom Marshall, among others.

First produced on Broadway by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman and the Rosenfields, Barnum became a UK phenomenon during its London Palladium run. This new touring production aims to introduce the beloved musical and its newly announced cast to audiences across the country in 2026.

Barnum arrives at Bournemouth Pavilion from Tuesday, 16 June to Saturday, 20 June 2026, with tickets on sale now from just £20.00.