Go behind the scenes of Disney’s major new stage version of The Greatest Showman The Musical.
Based on the blockbuster movie, and featuring all of the songs from the film, the new Greatest Showman stage show is getting a pre-London try-out at the Bristol Hippodrome next month, with its sold-out run taking place from 15 March to 10 May 2026.
The show is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), whose new production of Disney’s Hercules has recently announced its final dates at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Video: Behind the scenes
The stage adaptation features all of the Oscar-nominated songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul from the hit film, including The Greatest Show, A Million Dreams, Come Alive, Rewrite the Stars and This Is Me.
Pasek and Paul have also written five new songs for the musical, including the new number Show Goes On.
The writing duo took to social media this week to share some behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the show.
Greatest Showman star cast
The world premiere Bristol production of The Greatest Showman features a starry cast including Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet) as P.T. Barnum, played by Hugh Jackman in the movie; with Samantha Barks (Frozen) as Charity Barnum, played by Michelle Williams in the film.
The principal cast also includes Ben Joyce (Back to the Future) as Phillip Carlyle, made famous by Zac Efron in the film; Broadway star Lorna Courtney (Heathers) as Anne Wheeler, played in the film by Zendaya; Vajèn van den Bosch (Wicked) as Jenny Lind, played in the movie by Rebecca Ferguson; and Malinda Parris (Disney’s Hercules) as Lettie Lutz, played by Keala Settle in the film.
The company also includes Josh St. Clair (50 First Dates: The Musical) as Alternate P.T. Barnum, and Katie Tonkinson (Bat Out of Hell) as Standby Anne Wheeler. Casting was announced in October, with the world premiere production first revealed back in March.
The Greatest Showman The Musical – Meet the Bristol cast (Photo @thegreatestshowman)
Oliver Tompsett & Samantha Barks interview
The stars of The Greatest Showman, Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks, spoke to Michelle Visage on Sunday (15 February 2026) on BBC Radio 2’s Elaine Paige on Sunday show.
Samantha Barks said that it was “the most exciting rehearsal room I have ever been a part of”, when talking about the current London rehearsals for the show, which goes into Tech next week at the Bristol Hippodrome.
The Greatest Showman – Samantha Barks & Oliver Tompsett to star. Photo Sebastian Nevols (c) 20th Century Studios
Oliver Tompsett, who plays PT Barnum in the musical, said that it is “a true honour to be taking on these roles that were made so iconic and famous by the success of the film. But our production has its own identity as a piece of theatre”, and that “what we are creating in the room feels like it was meant to be a musical in the first place.”
Giving us a taste of what we can expect in Bristol, Samantha said that “it’s already such an exciting musical to be part of, but the circus elements – it’s crazy, every day in rehearsals my jaw is on the floor with something crazy and exciting someone is doing.”
Listen to the interview here (from 14:21).
Also booking
Now playing in London is Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular. This official Greatest Showman production is inspired by the global smash-hit movie, and features all your favourite songs from the film.
The show is now playing at the Empress Museum in London, booking to September 2026.
Book tickets to Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular in London
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📷 Main photo: The Greatest Showman – now in rehearsals for its world premiere (Screenshots)
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