This morning, Bill Kenwright Ltd announced a revival of Barnum, a brilliant new iteration of the beloved classic, opening in February 2026.

After dazzling the Watermill Theatre last summer, Barnum is hitting the road. The UK tour will open in 2026, led by Lee Mead (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Legally Blonde) as P. T. Barnum himself. The revival comes with high expectations, having already impressed in its initial run and boasting a hugely impressive creative team.

The show follows the life and legend of P. T. Barnum—entrepreneur, showman, and ringmaster. It is part biography, part circus, and full theatrical spectacle.

This new production will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse, with an ensemble of actor-musicians and circus performers promising to bring real big-top energy to the stage. Featuring musical supervision by George Dyer, circus direction by Amy Panter, and classic songs including “Come Follow the Band” and “The Colours of My Life”, Barnum is all set to walk the tightrope between spectacle and storytelling (alongside a very real tightrope).

The confirmed tour dates (thus far) are:

Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2026: Theatre Royal Windsor (previews)

Feb 3 – Feb 7, 2026: Theatre Royal Windsor

Feb 10 – Feb 14, 2026: Opera House, Manchester

Feb 24 – Feb 28, 2026: Grand Opera House, York

Mar 3 – Mar 7, 2026: Theatre Royal Brighton

Mar 17 – Mar 21, 2026: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Mar 24 – Mar 28, 2026: Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

Apr 21 – Apr 25, 2026: Birmingham Hippodrome

More venues and dates will be announced over the coming months, so if your local theatre is not on the list yet, keep an eye out. This page will be updated as further dates and casting are announced.

Image credit – artwork supplied by the production via WhatsOnStage.