Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth!

June 24, 2026

Barnum starring Lee Mead opens at the Cliffs Pavilion on Tuesday 30th June for one week only.

West End favourite, TV star and Essex lad Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Lee is best known for his breakout win on Any Dream Will Do and acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde.

Starring alongside Lee are Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter (The Lion King) as Joice Heth, and Fergus Rattigan (The Wizard of Oz) as General Tom Thumb.

Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twist and turn as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.

This spectacular production will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!

Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. The show features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.

This musical classic first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now Lee Mead and Matt Rawle step into his shoes and onto the tightrope!

Barnum The Circus Musical - Tues 30 June - Sat 4 July At the Cliffs Pavilion

To book go to - www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call 0343 310 0030