The Greatest Show on Earth
Now all of this vitality is ideal for rip-roaring razzmatazz and so it proved. Not strong on storyline, more a series of episodes with a touch of marital tension, a hint of romance, and a tear or two of pathos. You never worry for Barnum though as he stays one move ahead of the opposition and his wife would always save him anyway.
In the title role Chris Inns excelled; he’s always walked a figurative tightrope but here he had his chance to conquer a literal one. And he did, in style! Dominating the stage, he sang and strutted through his repertoire never losing control for a second and turning in a consummate performance. As his wife and mentor Frankie Jackson reminded us – if we needed it – just why she’s one of the finest actors this school has produced. At times schoolmarmish, at times coquettish, she played the full emotional range. In support were a number of fine cameos: Adam Mundy as the quixotic Tom Thumb; Annabelle Harris as the regal Swedish iceberg, Jenny Lind; Dan Chadwick, the Ringmaster and the Evans twins as… themselves! Well not quite, but certainly an entertaining duo.