ROLL up, roll up!

Celebrated entertainer Brian Conley will star in the lead role of smash-hit circus musical Barnum when it visits the Mayflower Theatre in 2015.

Conley, a regular Southampton performer who will star in panto this year as well as last, scored huge success in a previous Cameron Mackintosh production of Oliver! and has also appeared on stage in Hairspray and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was Oliviernominated for creating the role of Al Jolson, as well as all his TV appearances.

He stars as PT Barnum alongside Linzi Hateley, the actress who created the role of Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins and was nominated for an Olivier Award as The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as Chairy.

Barnum, which opened at Chichester Festival Theatre last summer, follows the irrepressible dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America’s greatest showman.

The story of his life and his marriage to Chairy reveals a couple who looked at the world from opposite ends of the spectrum, and also reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum’s dreams come true.

The production follows the legendary showman’s life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus – the Greatest Show on Earth.

Cy Coleman’s exuberant score includes the hits Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute.

  • Barnum will be in Southampton from June 9 to 20 next year. Tickets go on sale on Friday from mayflower.org.uk