The circus begins outside with fire-eating, juggling and a coconut shy in the Watermill’s gardens. It is wondrous scene-setting for composer Cy Coleman and lyricist Michael Stewart’s 1980 musical about the American impresario and canny businessman PT Barnum, who pitched his 19th-century travelling circus as the “Greatest Show on Earth”.
Jonathan O’Boyle’s production exudes old-world magic and the infectious showtunes, surprisingly, do not sound overwhelming in this tight auditorium. There are stunning acrobatics and aerial work (especially by Emily Odunsi), with Amy Panter as circus director, while the dancing, choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, comes into its own in the second half.
