Disney’s major new musical stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman is starting performances tonight (Sunday 15 March 2026) at the UK’s Bristol Hippodrome theatre.
The world premiere production, which is now sold out, will run at the Bristol Hippodrome until 10 May 2026.
The Greatest Showman The Musical is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, whose new production of Disney’s Hercules is now playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
There’s been no word from Disney about whether this new stage adaptation of the 20th Century Fox movie is an out-of-town tryout, ready for a full West End or Broadway production.
Hit songs from the movie
The Greatest Showman The Musical is based on the smash-hit 2017 film, and features all of its Oscar-nominated songs by musicals duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land), including The Greatest Show, A Million Dreams, Come Alive, Rewrite the Stars and This Is Me.
Five new songs have also been penned by Pasek and Paul for the musical, including new number Show Goes On. The musical’s book is by Emmy nominee Tim Federle (Ferdinand, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Tuck Everlasting).
The Greatest Showman – Samantha Barks & Oliver Tompsett to star. Photo Sebastian Nevols (c) 20th Century Studios
Greatest Showman star cast
The musical features a starry West End cast led by Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet) as P.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman in the movie); Samantha Barks (Frozen) as Charity Barnum (Michelle Williams in the film), Ben Joyce (Back to the Future) as Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron in the film), Broadway star Lorna Courtney (Heathers) as Anne Wheeler (Zendaya in the film), Vajèn van den Bosch (Wicked) as Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson in the film), Malinda Parris (Disney’s Hercules) as Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle in the film).
The company also features 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 2025, with the world premiere production first revealed back in March 2025.
The Greatest Showman – Casting – Top L-R Samantha Barks, Oliver Tompsett, Ben Joyce, Bottom L-R Lorna Courtney, Vajen
Come Alive! in London
Now playing in London is Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular. This official Greatest Showman spin-off is inspired by the movie, and also features the songs.
The show recently extended its run at the Empress Museum in London, and is now booking to 14 February 2026.
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📷 Main photo: The Greatest Showman – Samantha Barks & Oliver Tompsett. Photo Sebastian Nevols (c) 20th Century Studios
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