Barnum, Comedy Theatre, Thursday May 30th 2019

Barnum, Comedy Theatre, Thursday May 30th 2019

"Barnum" was presented at the Comedy Theatre on Thursday May 30th 2019.

For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. I buy my own tickets. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights.  Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases.  I write for my memories of what I have seen, and is more of a stream of consciousness.

"Barnum" starring Todd McKenney was presented at the Comedy Theatre on Thursday May 30th 2019.  

Todd McKenney was the major draw card and for most of the show was better than Reg Livermore in the 1982 original Australian production.  Though, Reg performed more sophisticated tricks on the tightrope than just walking, or attempting to cross the high wire once.

Todd's portrayal of P.T. Barnum was commanding and at times he broke the fourth wall with comments and asides to keep the show from being so dated.

Direction by Tyran Parke created a production with 14 instead of about 28 performers.  At times this worked to its benefit as the staging was more contained in a circus themed central ring with the grand stands ever present on the sides.

Overall, I preferred this production but with some reservations.

Namely, three performers were not of the calibre of the originals playing Tom Thumb, Jenny Lind and the oldest woman in the world.  Who will ever forget Wayne Scott Kermond, Mona Richardson and Deborah Winterburn playing these roles more effectively?

Set and Costume Designs by Dann Barber were terrific as they captured the tone of the show and era.  This was one of the best set designs that I have seen that was fully utilised.

Mostly the choreography by Kelly Aykers worked.  Though, I felt the opening number was not as dynamic as the original.  I preferred the finale here with less performers and more focused staging.  Kelly Aykers has utilised the skills of the circus performers to their maximum and thus created a wonderful circus atmosphere.

The opening prologue scene with the voice overs and hub-bub of noise and announcements was one of the best for creating atmosphere to a production.

The opening number then was a little bit of a letdown as it did not live up to the original 1982 production.

"There's A Sucker Born Every Minute" showcased Todd was better than Reg Livermore vocally, and acting and movement.

"Thank God, I'm Old" was well staged but not as slick as Mona Richardson.  The performances did not have the historical nuances that Mona delivered.

"One Brick At A Time" used a simpler set and had more effective staging with the use of the four roll-in-staircases.  The smaller stage looked fuller with less cast, than the emptiness of Her Majesty's Theatre with a grander set.

The "Museum Song" was fun and well staged, with terrific use of the building blocks to create the museum.

"I Like Your Style" was a lovely duet for Charity played by Rachel Beck and Barnum, Todd McKenney.  Rachel Beck was as good as Gaye MacFarlene in the original.  In fact, Rachel Beck and Todd McKenney created a more honest rapport and relationship than the original, with their chemistry and ability to listen to each other.

"Bigger Isn't Better" was too long and the performer struggled with some of the choreography and did not have the command of Wayne Scott Kermond as the original Australian Tom Thumb.  This 2019 Tom Thumb sequence went way too long and showed its age.  It could have been cut or added more staging to enhance the number.  The use of the wagon turned on its side to create Jumbo the elephant was clever and reminiscent of the era's "humbug".

Jenny Lind played by Suzie Mathers was adequate in the role in her rendition of "Love Makes Such Fools of All of Us".  At times this number was a little cringe worthy and showed the tiredness and age of the show.

Act One Finale had Todd attempting the tight rope walk four to five times.  He did not perform the more difficult tricks that Reg Livermore had performed.  For proof, see the inside jacket of the Original Australian Cast album of "Barnum".

Act Two opened with a warm-up act by two clowns and was superb in capturing both era and the essence of comedy to gain an audience's attention.  I loved this prologue as it was staged as pure circus.  The young group of people (teenagers) sitting behind us were mesmerised and laughed in pure engagement of the antics.

This group of young people were so well behaved and congratulations to them all for the respect of others and ensuring mobile phones were turned off.  They were a credit to their school or club or association - whatever that is.

"Come Follow The Band" opened Act Two proper.  The chorus sing was the most melodic for the whole cast.

The staging of "Black and White" was sensational on the fold down stage that reminded me of "Carnivale" and the side shows.  This was one of the better numbers, though I longed for Mona Richardson in the role.

"The Colors of My Life" (Reprise) was beautifully and poignantly staged.  It was lovely to hear the youth behind me emotionally connected to Charity's death scene.  This scene also doubly emphasised the relationship between Todd McKenney and Rachel Beck had more electricity than the original cast in 1982.

Todd's rendition of "The Prince of Humbug" was introspective and honest.  He was not as flashy as Reg and captured my attention.

I loved the "Join The Circus" with superior staging with only 14 people!  They held my attention and I could not take my eyes of them all.  Whereas, in 1982, so much was happening I did not know where to look and it was over-produced.  It was a different era.

The finale had a timing mishap when Rachel Beck tried to dress Todd in his finale jacket.  He made an aside "We were so close to the ending" he cried disappointed that he had let us down.  Maybe it was staged?  But from production photos, I think not.  He threw the jacket off to the stage left wings.  He held and demanded our attention, to the cheers from the audience.  What a showman!

The show is a bit dated but Tyran Parke, the cast and the production crew are all to be congratulated on a good production.

Overall,  "Barnum" obtained a respectable 7.5/10.