{"id":775398,"date":"2026-02-19T18:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/775398\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T18:30:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:30:30","slug":"the-greatest-showman-the-musical-behind-the-scenes-in-rehearsals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/775398\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Showman The musical \u2013 Behind the scenes in rehearsals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Go behind the scenes of Disney\u2019s major new stage version of The Greatest Showman The Musical<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The show is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw<\/strong> (The Book of Mormon), whose new production of Disney\u2019s Hercules<\/a> has recently announced its final dates at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Video: Behind the scenes<\/p>\n

The stage adaptation features all of the Oscar-nominated songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul<\/strong> from the hit film, including The Greatest Show, A Million Dreams, Come Alive, Rewrite the Stars and This Is Me.<\/p>\n

Pasek and Paul have also written five new songs for the musical, including the new number Show Goes On.<\/p>\n

The writing duo took to social media this week to share some behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the show.<\/p>\n

Greatest Showman star cast<\/p>\n

The world premiere Bristol production of The Greatest Showman features a starry cast including Oliver Tompsett<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> (& Juliet) as P.T. Barnum, played by Hugh Jackman in the movie; with <\/strong>Samantha Barks<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> (Frozen) as Charity Barnum, played by Michelle Williams in the film.<\/p>\n

The principal cast also includes Ben Joyce<\/a><\/strong> (Back to the Future) as Phillip Carlyle, made famous by Zac Efron in the film; Broadway star Lorna Courtney<\/a><\/strong> (Heathers) as Anne Wheeler, played in the film by Zendaya; Vaj\u00e8n van den Bosch<\/a><\/strong> (Wicked) as Jenny Lind, played in the movie by Rebecca Ferguson; and Malinda Parris<\/a><\/strong> (Disney\u2019s Hercules) as Lettie Lutz, played by Keala Settle in the film.<\/p>\n

The company also includes Josh St. Clair<\/a><\/strong> (50 First Dates: The Musical) as Alternate P.T. Barnum, and Katie Tonkinson<\/strong> (Bat Out of Hell) as Standby Anne Wheeler. Casting was announced in October<\/a>, with the world premiere production first revealed back in March<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Greatest Showman The Musical \u2013 Meet the Bristol cast (Photo @thegreatestshowman)<\/p>\n

Oliver Tompsett & Samantha Barks interview<\/p>\n

The stars of The Greatest Showman, Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks, spoke to Michelle Visage on Sunday (15 February 2026) on BBC Radio 2\u2019s Elaine Paige on Sunday<\/strong> show.<\/p>\n

Samantha Barks said that it was \u201cthe most exciting rehearsal room I have ever been a part of\u201d, when talking about the current London rehearsals for the show, which goes into Tech next week at the Bristol Hippodrome.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Greatest Showman \u2013 Samantha Barks & Oliver Tompsett to star. Photo Sebastian Nevols (c) 20th Century Studios<\/p>\n

Oliver Tompsett, who plays PT Barnum in the musical, said that it is \u201ca 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\u201d, and that \u201cwhat we are creating in the room feels like it was meant to be a musical in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving us a taste of what we can expect in Bristol, Samantha said that \u201cit\u2019s already such an exciting musical to be part of, but the circus elements \u2013 it\u2019s crazy, every day in rehearsals my jaw is on the floor with something crazy and exciting someone is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Listen to the interview here<\/a> (from 14:21).<\/p>\n

Also booking<\/p>\n

Now playing in London is Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular<\/a>. This official Greatest Showman production is inspired by the global smash-hit movie, and features all your favourite songs from the film.<\/p>\n

The show is now playing at the Empress Museum in London, booking to September 2026.<\/p>\n

Book tickets to Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular in London<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about The Greatest Showman The Musical and other shows:<\/b> <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0Main photo: The Greatest Showman – now in rehearsals for its world premiere (Screenshots)<\/p>\n

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