Chichester Revival of Barnum

[Princeton Returns]

Someone on WOS posted this about Michael Ball and Barnum.

Still think he is wrong for it but time will tell

"Michael Ball at his Q&A at the Criterion the other month - hinted that there was a well known musical he wanted to do after Sweeney - it was an American Show and it hasn't had a production here for a while - he also hinted that it would be at CFT first. So this could possibly be it! "

[246015]

I don't see any reason why Michael couldn't do "Barnum". People didn't think he would be able to pull off Edna or Sweeney and he certainly proved them wrong.

[Princeton Returns]

Ill agree on Edna, personally I didnt think Sweeney was as successful.

Its a very physical role so he would need to really commit to a hardcore fitness regime to get him ready. Possible though

[CATSNYrevival]

^It doesn't always have to be a physical role. I know Brad Oscar performed it regionally in the US at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. He's roughly the same size as Michael Ball.

[06s091]

I'm quite sure Michael Ball won't be playing Barnum. He has said in several interviews that he doesn't see himself playing that role.
I think I might have an idea about what his next show is and if I'm right then it's neither of the two he is rumoured to be in.

[246015]

Oh how intriguing 06s091. Care to share what you think it is? I don't think he will be doing "Barnum" but I do think if Michael wanted to do it, he could pull it off. Thatťs what I meant anyway.

There are two I thought of but am probably way off the mark! Perhaps something like "Man of La Mancha" or even "City of Angels"?

[Princeton Returns]

I don't know the show at all do I don't know if there's a role for him but one thought I had is The Pyjama Game, it's also rumoured for CFT next year

[songanddanceman2]

'I also saw a comment the other day from someone who left at the interval because they thought the show was distasteful.'

lol no comment

I like when every new show announces that Ball's name seems to come up all the time, i'm pretty sure we have plenty of other theatre actors who are male.....and a damn site better than Ball

[songanddanceman2]

'I also saw a comment the other day from someone who left at the interval because they thought the show was distasteful.'

lol no comment

I like when every new show announces that Ball's name seems to come up all the time, i'm pretty sure we have plenty of other theatre actors who are male.....and a damn site better than Ball

[06s091]

I'm thinking it might be "City of Angels". He could play either of the two leads but my guess would be Stine.
It fits with everything he has said about the upcomming show and he has mentioned "City of Angels" in the past.

[246015]

Ha! So I wasn't way off the mark with "City of Angels" then if somebody else has thought about it. Don't know the show very well at all but I have also heard him mention it in the past so that's why it instantly sprung to mind. I am now going to take this opportunity to get to know the show! Does anyone have an opinion on which is the best recording - the Original Broadway or Original London?

[Princeton Returns]

I was thinking that although not a 'name', Daniel Crossley (currently in SITR) could pull off the physicality of the role.

And someone mentioned on another board Brian Conleys name, another excellent idea however again (like Ball) probably too old now.

[devonian.t]

Though it's wandering off the point, I prefer OLC of City of Angels. Stellar cast!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Stellar! Understatement Dev!

The two original productions of 'Barnum' (Palladium & Victoria Palace) were pretty stunning for a stage show in the early 80's and I saw them numerous times but boy will the show need to be beefed up if it is to crack with audiences of today!

[Bob30]

Having never seen Barnum and not knowing the plot or score very well are there any other parts Chichetser could stunt cast or Michael Ball would fit instead of the lead?

As from reading the posts Michael Ball does sound like a possibility for this project but i'd love to see Hugh Jackman at Chichester!

[mallardo]

The OBC of City of Angels is a classic. The obvious choice. I'm not so sure Michael Ball would opt for Stine. It's the bigger sing but on stage Stone is the showier role.

[Nickhutson]

Chichester is doing PAJAMA GAME next year...

[Bob30]

Could they not do both? They did three Musicals last year

[mallardo]

If it's Pajama Game I could definitely see Michael Ball as Sid Sorokin - in fact he's perfect for it. Who will be Babe?

[Jimbob2]

'Kiss Me Kate', upcoming 'My Fair Lady' at Sheffield (for goodness sake), mentions of 'The Pajama Game'. Our Arts Council subsidised professional theatres are going to put Amateur Operatic societies out of business. Okay, I know a good bums on seats hit can cross-subsidise newer work, and new things might be found in old shows. But really...the smell of mothballs and conservatism is all over these choices.

At least 'Barnum' requires super-skills that might outstrip what Amateur groups might be able to pull off. Only a site specific Big Top staging would get me to go in London; not a conventional West End house.

[Nickhutson]

Would be wonderful if they did a site specific production of Barnum next year a the Kensington Gardens tent.

[Jimbob2]

Agreed. If we're going to have old stuff, at least let's have an event.

There is a permanent theatre tent at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, London. It's tiny. So if Chichester don't do it, how about a lower budget version? Two clowns and a kiddies swing instead of a trapeze would have impact there. Now where's Bill Kenwright's number?

[Bob30]

On the Les Miz website under Cast and Creative, Cameron Mackintosh's bio states

"Cameron is currently preparing the film versions of “Les Misérables” and “My Fair Lady” and is working on the new version of the great Broadway musical “Barnum”."

So he must be definitely looking at producing it somewhere, makes the cChichester production look more likely?