Barnum!

Most people know Michael Crawford as the Phantom of the Opera. Absolutely anyone who has heard or seen him in that (Or anything else for that matter!), and even remotely likes his work should see this movie at least once. Preferablely twice, or three times if possible. It's that good.

The movie is actually a live recording of the London stage show, and musical fans will be happy to know that it retains that feel. The whole show positively throbs with energy, due to the catchy music, the lively numbers involving circus acts, and the extremely talented cast. Michael, of course, is fabulous. His voice is wonderful, his acting is superb, and he even walks high wire. Is there anything this man can't do? The lady who plays his wife is a good singer, and acts in a nice, sincere way. You believe her when she plays her part. The rest of the cast is energetic and really help to bring the exciting numbers to life.

The story is nice too, romantic, fun, and surprisingly black and white. At least in my case, I find my self lost in the plots of several stage musicals. Here it's easy to know what's going on.

Watch this movie. I don't think I can put it any more bluntly.

In the early eighties my wife & I lived in Kensington and got tickets for this show for my mum & dad who were also staying with us. We arranged to pick them up after the show, meeting them in a lovely old pub to the left hand side of the theatre. I can't imagine my now being able to drive and park there now. Indeed, the pub has been demolished to make way for a development called Nova Victoria . . . So ugly it was voted the worst new building of 2017 in London.

SO - The story starts now - we were all in the pub with who should walk in but Michael Crawford with some fellow show colleagues. My mum said "I must go and tell him how marvellous he was in the show". I said "hmmm might be a good idea he looked a bit exhausted and may just want a bit of peace & quite" But mum trots over and Michael turns to my mum and I still remember seeing his lovely warm smile and he was so polite. What a generous and kind man he is.

I SO LOVE this show!! I was on the edge of my seat watching it, even though it was on tape and DVD at my own home! I felt like I was there, hearing him, seeing him, the laughing the dancing, all of it was just two hours of enchantment. Michael Crawford (better known to the world as the Original Erik in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera") plays the role of P.T. Barnum to perfection!! He really does... at least in my humble opinion. Michael plays the role with gutso, pinache, and of course a voice to knock a person unconscious for hours! He really has a knack for musicals and this displays him having as much fun playing the role, as we do. I must tip my hat to Mr. Crawford! Well done Michael!!! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

The rest of the cast are scrumptious including Eileen Batye as Chairy Barnum, Christina Collier (known for her role as Christine Daae in Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera) as Jenny Lind, and the rest of the cast... I can go on and on!! They really gave 190% that night and I am so pleased to have this on video!! It truly is a treasure!! Perfect for children and adults alike!!

I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves musicals or... if you just love Michael Crawford, get this performance!! It IS worth it!!

JOIN THE CIRCUS!!!!

...I think it was made for British television...and it is a live performance...and it actually captures that... and it is a show full of fun and engaging performances. It is one of those shows that you enjoy and then enjoy more each time you see it.

A film of a stage show, which suffers from the static-ness of the camera. This probably works well as a stage show, when the atmosphere sweeps you up, but I found the jokes a bit flat, and that went for much of the show. It wasn't bad - just didn't really suck you in.