Barnum Review, Ladies and Gentlemen...
…and children of all ages. Solihull School is proud to present in the Bushell Hall, transformed into a Big Top before your very eyes, its thirtieth, yes, that’s right, its thirtieth musical extravaganza. You can-canned with Orpheus in the Underworld, marvelled at Wolfgang’s magical instrument, twisted with Oliver, and now, bounce with Barnum!
Roll up, Roll up
The entrance to the theatre has become Covent Garden with street entertainers, jugglers, unicyclists, and fire-eaters. A brilliant idea that set the mood for performances ablaze with zest and energy under the dazzling direction of debutante, Rachel Hadley, seasoned impresario, Bob Melling and musical maestro, Stephen Perrins, plus a cast not quite of thousands but certainly nearing two hundred, according to names accredited in the programme. Wow! Let’s hear a loud cheer for Anthony Avery and his technical crew too. Hip hip…
Jumbo
Barnum, a theatrical blockbuster with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and book by Max Bramble, is based on the life of American showman, Phineas Taylor Barnum. The American production opened at the St James Theatre, Broadway on 30 April 1980 and ran for 854 performances, starring erstwhile Carry-On star Jim Dale and Glenn Close. In London the show ran at the Palladium from 11 June 1981 for 655 performances featuring Michael Crawford in the title role. In Solihull it played to packed houses four times and starred that well known duo, Chris Inns and Frankie Jackson as respectively, Phineas and his good lady, Chairy.