The acclaimed Broadway musical Barnum is set to embark on a major UK tour in 2026, with tickets going on sale this Friday.
The show will stop at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from February 10 to 14, with prices starting at just £15.
Touted as the “greatest show on earth,” Barnum celebrates the life of P.T. Barnum, the legendary circus ringmaster and world-famous showman. The production promises a spectacular mix of music, acrobatics, and circus acts that will captivate audiences across the country.
Producers Bill Kenwright Ltd have confirmed West End and TV star Lee Mead will take on the iconic role of Barnum. Known for winning BBC’s talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead has earned acclaim for leading roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked, and Legally Blonde. Fans can expect a performance filled with charisma, vocal skill, and emotional depth.
The original UK production made waves at the London Palladium, famously featuring Michael Crawford’s nightly tightrope walk. Now, Lee Mead will bring his own daring and energy to the role.
Jenny Seagrove, Chairperson of Bill Kenwright Ltd, said, “When I saw Barnum at the Watermill Theatre last year, I knew immediately it was a show to share with audiences nationwide. Our new staging features over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, along with breathtaking acrobats and international circus acts, all led by the incredible Lee Mead.”
Barnum will open at Theatre Royal Windsor on February 3, 2026, with previews from January 30. The tour will also visit Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, and other venues.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, the show has received rave reviews, including a five-star rating from The Observer, which praised it as “a dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical tribute to the 19th-century circus showman.”
Step right up and experience the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition soar. The story follows Barnum and his wife Charity as they navigate twists and turns on their journey to greatness.
Tour Dates And Ticket Information
Windsor, Theatre Royal: Jan 30 – Feb 7 (Tickets on sale June 20)
Manchester, Palace Theatre: Feb 10 – 14 (Tickets on sale June 20)
York, Grand Opera House: Feb 24 – 28 (Tickets on sale June 20)
Brighton, Theatre Royal: Mar 3 – 7 (Tickets on sale June 20)
Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre: Mar 17 – 21 (Tickets on sale July 4)
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre: Mar 24 – 28 (Tickets on sale June 20)
Tickets for the first four announced venues will be available from Friday, June 20. Manchester tickets start at £15 and can be purchased online.
Don’t miss this chance to see Barnum live — a breathtaking celebration of showmanship, music, and circus magic.
