Barnum is a musical with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman.

Synopsis

Based on the life of P. T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, Barnum is a joyful and moving musical portrait of the nineteenth-century show-biz legend. While Barnum loves spectacle and excitement and freely uses hype and humbug to promote his attractions, his devoted wife, Charity, aims to keep him grounded. When the Swedish songbird, Jenny Lind, catches Barnum’s eye, will he remain faithful to his devoted wife? When reality threatens to disrupt the colours of his life, will he take on the grey of the clockworks factory where Charity thinks he could build a life for his family? Or will he follow the band and remain the “Prince of Humbug?”

Student Productions

2018: Northlink College

Something missing? Want to add or correct information? Please email the South African Musical Theatre Archive with the details, using the contact details at the top of the page.