First casting news for Barnum The Musical at the Menier

Barnum the musical is to play at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 5th December to 3rd March, with previews from 25th November.

Casting news so far is that the two leads are comedian Marcus Brigstocke as Phineas T Barnum and Laura Pitt-Pulford is his wife Charity (Chairy) Barnum. The cast also features Celinde Schoenmaker as Jenny Lind with Tupele Dorgu as Joice Heth and Harry Francis as Tom Thumb. They will be joined by Danny Collins, Eamonn Cox, Ainsley Hall Ricketts, Courtney Hows, Philip Marriott, Dominic Owen and Lucie-Mae Sumner. Further casting will be confirmed shortly.

Marcus Brigstocke is a comedian and broadcaster, appearing on Have I Got News For You, The Late Edition and currently The Joy of Techs. His theatre includes: Oklahoma! (BBC Proms 2017), Peter Pan (Wimbledon), Spamalot (West End & tour) and The Railway Children (York Theatre Royal / TCT / Waterloo). Films include Beyond The Sea and Love Actually.

Laura Pitt-Pulford theatre includes: Nell Gwyn (ETT, Globe and tour), Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible), Oliver! (Leicester Curve), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Olivier nomination – Regent’s Park) and Mack & Mabel and Side Show (Southwark).

Celinde Shoenmaker theatre includes: The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), Les Miserables (Queen's), Love Story and Ghost (Netherlands).

Tupele Dorgu theatre includes Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve), Noises Off (Liverpool Royal Court), Chicago (UK tour) and Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales). Television includes: Casualty, Billionaire Boy and Coronation Street.

Harry Francis theatre includes Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), Cats and A Chorus Line (London Palladium).