THEATRE: BARNUM
Todd McKenney finds the likeable heart of a fast-talking loudmouth in the story of PT Barnum.
BY TODAY’S entertainment criteria, traditional circuses are an anachronism. However, in the 1800s, the circus coming to town was like the latest Marvel blockbuster opening, and that made circus entrepreneur Phineas Taylor Barnum both famous and very rich.
His story is brought to life in the musical, Barnum, which premiered in 1980 and is currently being revived. The lead role has been played by Jim Dale, Michael Crawford and, in the first Australian production, Reg Livermore. It returns to the local stage with Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz before Hugh Jackman) taking on this historic figure.
“There’s a lot of research material out there about Barnum from different points of view, including the people who loved him and those who thought he was just a shark,” says McKenney.
“He published his autobiography three times and each time he took stuff out that he thought didn’t present him in the right light. I’m actually in two minds about Barnum because I can see the reasons why people thought he was a charlatan, but I can also see why people loved him.”
There’s a dark side where he just wants to exploit and make money... but I can also see why people loved him.
“One thing I’ve leant was that he was the first person to do a matinee performance,” says McKenney. “He wanted to bring more people into the theatre, and thought he’d do it through getting families with their kids. There’s so much to explore with Barnum; he was a showman through and through. There’s also that dark side where he just wanted to exploit, be famous and make money. For an actor, the role is quite rich. Those characteristics are what attracted me to it.”
In preparation, McKenney practiced tightrope walking every day, as well as stiltwalking, juggling and practical sessions on magic, but the deeper challenge was within the character itself.
“It’s making him likable that’s the real challenge,” says McKenney. “You could easily think he’s just a fast-talking loud mouth and wonder what there is to like about him. I had to find that heart in him.”
Also in the cast are Rachael Beck as Barnum’s devoted wife Charity, Akina Edmonds as Joice Heth, the oldest woman alive, Joshua Reckless as Tom Thumb, Kirby Burgess as the Ringmaster and Suzie Mathers as the songstress, Jenny Lind.
The story covers the period from 1835 to 1880, an era of very different social attitudes and norms, and Barnum itself was penned back in the 1970s, before the rise of political correctness, so much of the text needed dusting off. “Some of the writing, especially to do with women, I think was poorly handled,” says McKenney. “We’ve taken out anything that is disrespectful to women but left what keeps it truthful to the story.
“At the end of the day it’s a circus musical and there’s a lot to like in it. Our director, Tyran Parke has completely reshaped a significant part of the show and re-orchestrated it with a fresh feel.”
Barnum has won Tony, Drama Desk and Laurence Olivier Awards. It is totally unrelated to The Greatest Showman, which starred Hugh Jackman as Barnum. As for McKenney, it’s the chance at another great role in a long list of theatre credits.
“It’s a unique show because we’re working with some amazing acrobats,” says McKenney. “Audiences will be in awe of the performers’ skills. It’s a show like no other around at the moment. People will learn a bit of history, especially about Barnum… he’s fascinating!”