NEWS - THE GREATEST SHOWMAN MUSICAL ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED CAST AND DATES FOR WORLD PREMIERE

From Screen to Stage: The Greatest Showman The Musical Set to Dazzle Audiences in 2026

Disney Theatrical Group has today revealed the official cast and performance schedule for its eagerly anticipated stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman. Set to premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome in spring 2026, the production will feature a star-studded company led by Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett.

📅 Dates & Ticketing

• The show will run at Bristol Hippodrome from 15 March to 10 May 2026.

• Rehearsals are scheduled to begin in December 2025 in preparation for the Bristol engagement.

• Tickets for the Bristol run will go on sale 6 November 2025 at 10 am, with priority booking opening slightly earlier (from 4 November).

  
  

This Bristol engagement represents the world premiere of The Greatest Showman The Musical, with further plans for future runs in London’s West End and on Broadway.

🎭 Lead Cast Announced

The cast brings together many familiar faces from across UK and international musical theatre:

• Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) will star as Charity Barnum (Michelle Williams’ role in the film).

• Oliver Tompsett (Shakespeare in & Juliet, Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman) takes on P.T. Barnum (originally Hugh Jackman).

• Ben Joyce (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Back to the Future, Shucked) will portray Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron’s film role).

• Lorna Courtney (Heathers, & Juliet) plays Anne Wheeler (Zendaya’s part in the movie).

• Vajèn van den Bosch (Frozen, Wicked, Les Misérables) is cast as Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson’s role).

• Malinda Parris (currently in Disney’s Hercules in London) will play Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle’s role).

Supporting casts include multiple triple casts in key ensemble roles:

• Caroline / Young Charity: Mia Raggio, Angelica Pearl Scott, Maya Sewrey

• Helen: Harly Gill, Ellie McArdle, Eleanor Sebastian

• Young Barnum: Max Bispham, Joel Tennant, Clark Young

Additionally:

• Josh St. Clair will serve as Alternate P.T. Barnum,

• Katie Tonkinson as Standby Anne Wheeler,

• and a full ensemble company rounding out the show.

  
  

🎼 Creative Team & Show Highlights

The musical adaptation retains the beloved songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (including “The Greatest Show,” “A Million Dreams,” “This Is Me,” and “Rewrite the Stars”) while also featuring five new songs composed specifically for the stage, including a new number titled “Show Goes On.” The book is penned by Tim Federle (Emmy nominee).

Direction and choreography are by Casey Nicholaw (known for Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Hercules). The broader creative team includes:

• Alex Lacamoire (Music Supervision & Orchestrations)

• David Korins (Scenic Design)

• Gregg Barnes & Sky Switser (Costume Design)

• Natasha Katz (Lighting Design)

• Peter Hylenski (Sound Design)

• George Reeve (Video Design)

• Lorenzo Pisoni (Circus Creation & Design)

• Josh Marquette (Hair & Wig Design)

• Milagros Medina-Cerdeira (Makeup Design)

• Jeremy Chernick (Special Effects)

• Skylar Fox (Illusions)

• Natalie Gallacher CDG / Pippa Ailion (Casting)

• Keston & Keston (Children’s GM & Casting)

  
  

Justin Paul also contributes vocal and incidental music arrangements.

🗣 What the Cast & Creators Say

Casey Nicholaw, director/choreographer, commented:

“It’s an absolute joy to finally share our incredible cast with the world – led by the brilliant Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks. After an exhaustive search we have gathered a group of artists whose talent will bring to life this fantastic story … we are so excited to bring this story to life for the first time on stage.”

Oliver Tompsett added:

“Roles like this don’t come along very often … I’m so very fortunate to be surrounded by the most brilliant cast … and can’t wait to begin the creative process with Casey and the team.”

Samantha Barks said:

“I’m thrilled to be rejoining the Disney family to play Charity Barnum. There is something utterly magical about The Greatest Showman … I’m so excited to partner with Olly to bring this incredible couple and their enduring love to life on stage.”

📝 From Screen to Stage

Originally a 2017 film, The Greatest Showman starred Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, and features a score by Pasek & Paul. The stage adaptation is the first 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) title to be adapted by Disney Theatrical Group following Disney’s 2019 acquisition of Fox’s assets. The production is co-produced with The Seelig Group, a producer of the original film.

While a West End venue has not been formally confirmed, Theatre Royal Drury Lane remains a strong rumoured target for the London premiere.

This announcement marks a major milestone in the journey of The Greatest Showman’s transition from screen to stage. With its notable casting, powerhouse creative team, and a premiere scheduled for spring 2026, the production promises to be one of the most exciting new musicals of the coming theatre season