Barnum show at Concordia was fautless and stunning

DANIEL Morrison exuberantly burst onto the stage as blustering showman extraordinaire P T Barnum and instantly had the capacity audience in the palm of his hand, writes Tony Parratt.

Hinckley Concordia Amateur Operatic Society’s stunning production of ‘Barnum’ needs a top-flight performer to pull off the title role and in Dan they certainly had the main man.

He had to display all the skills of the big top and boy he certainly did, including a high wire balancing act that had the breathless crowd shouting for more.

On top of which his singing and acting skills were impeccable; but you can’t have a leading man at the top of his form without top class backing and this was where this Nanette Goodman spectacular really scored.

Because not only were the other leads faultless, but equally importantly, so were the chorus and dancers.

In fact, the fast-moving pace of the show, brilliantly choreographed by Lisa Marsh with its acrobats, plate spinners and intricate balancing acts, created the perfect feel of “the greatest show on earth,” coupled with some great scenery. And there was a very effective scene where the chorus and dancers used bricks as clapping backing for the song One Brick At A Time.

Bringing a semblance of reality into “dreaming PT’s life” was his wife Chairy, sensitively played by Craigie Morrison. And when the pair duetted on The Colours Of My Life it was one of the highlights of the evening for me. And another was at the beginning of the second act, when we were invited to ‘Come Follow The Band’ as the performers marched through the auditorium.

Another strong perfor- mance came from James Martin as the ringmaster. His role was crucial in linking the action and he proved the ideal presence in helping us appreciate what was going on in the Barnum’s professional and personal lives.

This became more evident when Mr Barnum became enamoured with the enchanting Jenny Lind (Jessica ClarkeWheatley).

And Jessica as the Swedish songbird certainly hit all the right notes, with her lovely singing voice and all round presence.

Tom Bell, as diminutive Tom Thumb, made the most of a clever setting, where two stilted soldiers helped to cleverly convey his small stature, while Laura Matlock as the world’s oldest woman Joice Heth made the most of her small cameo by providing some lovely touches of humour.

They were ably backed by John Morrison as Amos Scudder and Matthew Perry as Chester Lyman, two men who were vital in the lives of the Barnums.

Mr Barnum sang that There Is A Sucker Born Every Minute, but for anyone who bought a ticket for this sell-out show, running until Saturday, they can never be accused of that.