Bill Kenwright Ltd has unveiled new production images for The childrenthe classic musical celebrating the life of showman P.T. Barnum. With music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble, the production first opened at Theatre Royal Windsor on 3 February 2026 following previews from 30 January.
The touring production has been delighting audiences nationwide, with West End favourite and TV star Lee Mead leading the cast as P.T. Barnum. Mead rose to fame on Any Dream Will Do and has since starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
The tour will continue into autumn 2026, when Matt Rawle returns to reprise his acclaimed performance as P.T. Barnum. His autumn performances will begin at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 12 August.
 
 
 
 
Joining Mead in the principal cast are Monique Young as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter as Joice Heth and Fergus Rattigan as General Tom Thumb.
They are supported by an ensemble featuring Elena Bluck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterling and Niki Tsonopoulou.
Audiences can expect a vibrant world of circus spectacle and musical theatre as Barnum’s ambitions take him from sideshows to global acclaim. The production features actor‑musicians, acrobats and circus performers, celebrating the spirit of Barnum with classic songs such as Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse, the creative team includes George Dyer, Lee Newby, Matt Nicholson, Jai Morjaria, Tom Marshall, Amy Panter, Kevin Oliver Jones, Jess Ellen Knight, Iona Luvsandorj, Sabrina Joshua, Zippos Circus, The National Centre for Circus Arts, Mervyn Millar, Tracy Waller and Helen Foan.
The musical was originally produced on Broadway by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfield in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
 
 
 
 
