Barnum

I never imagined I'd see it again, so imagine my surprise when I saw the DVD for sale! I bought it and have replayed it many times because of the great music and sets. The cast was slightly different from the time I saw it, but are uniformly excellent. I have seen many plays, including "Phantom of the Opera", (without Michael Crawford), "Les Miserable", etc and "Barnum" is still my favorite musical. Get this one and share it. My favorite number, "I Like Your Style", delightfully describes a lot of relationships. Almost everything is upbeat in this play, "Thank God I'm Old", for instance. Enjoy.


Michael Crawford IS the Greatest Showman on Earth!   November 11, 2003
Heh (New Zealand.)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I saw first Barnum on TV at the age of five on Christmas Day, 1990: now, 13 years later, it is still my favourite escapist retreat. Michael Crawford- whether walking the tightrope, sliding down a 60 foot drop, setting fire to himself, or waltzing on stilts- proves once again his immense ability to excel in the most physically demanding roles. He is a fine actor (real tears pour down his face when his beloved, patient Chairy dies) and a tremendous amount of fun! His vocal ability (which surfaces especially on numbers like 'The Prince of Humbug') is undoubted. He makes this show.

Well... him and a terrific, talented cast of singers, dancers and acrobats all rolled into one, and marvellous co-stars: of especial note are Eileen Battye as Chairy and the wonderful Ringmaster. The dialogue is often very funny and sometimes extremely moving, the songs unforgettable, and the colours-- beyond description. This is the story of a wonderful American entertainer; let him live again on your TV screens through Michael Crawford.

Five stars.


Great entertainment for anyone!   January 18, 2002
Gene Kato (Arvada, CO United States)
It's really a shame that more productions like this aren't available. Back in 50's musicals like "Of Thee I Sing" and "Once Upon a Mattress" aired on CBS with stars like Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor in major roles. With so much wonderful entertainment virtually lost to new generations, BARNUM was a real treat to behold. Michael Crawford shines as circus flim-flam man P.T. Barnum and proves that he's more than just a great singer, he's a true crowd pleaser. The rest of the cast does a fine job in keeping up with the whole circus atmosphere. It would be nice if they would put the original cast with Jim Dale and Glenn Close (before she was the star she is now) on video so we can see an American production as well. Some of the script changes due to locale tend to water the text down a bit, but not enough to dampen the fun. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves theatre, the circus, Michael Crawford, or to anyone who just wants to watch something "a little different".


a delightful experience   October 25, 2001
I've loved Michael Crawford as phantom, and as a singer of Andrew Lloyd Weber songs in general. Here he takes off...and soars...in an entirely different direction! Crawford stars as P.T. Barnum (AKA Barnum & Bailey circus). A small stage, a small cast, but by no means a small show. I was entertained enough I immediatley hit play again after the credits rolled.


Live theatre in your living room   October 19, 2001
Barnum was well worth sending half way across the world for,(sadly, no longer available in the UK). This lively musical is full of song, colour and breathtaking displays of skill and co-ordination. Michael Crawford is outstanding in his role as P.T. Barnum and is full of animation as he sings, dances and performs amazing circus feats which include walking on the tightrope.