The Performing Arts Unit Musical - Barnum

The 2009 performance

Cast members perform at Federation Square

"Barnum's the name. P.T. Barnum. And I want to tell you that tonight you are going to see, bar none, ever sight, wonder and miracle that name stands for!"

The 2009 "Barnum" production featured an exceptional cast of 28 musicians and 40 performers, including 12 members of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, one of Australia's premier circus and youth performance companies.

On Monday 31st August 2009 members of the cast performed the song 'Join the Circus' at Federation Square.

About Barnum

Following on from our Guild award winning production of "OKLAHOMA" in 2007, another family favourite "Barnum" was brought to the stage by the Performing Arts Unit (formerly Joining the Chorus) and had a successful run at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre, from the 11th to 19th September 2009.

The show  traced the career of America's greatest showman from 1835 to the year he joined James A. Bailey to form The Greatest Show On Earth. Some regard him as the father of modern marketing and advertising - others would consider him as the most famous flim-flam man or shyster.

The  Performing Arts Unit Musical is a unique event in both Australian education and Australian theatre. It is an initiative that offers talented Victorian government school students the opportunity to have a truly professional experience in commercial professional musical theatre; from auditions, through rehearsal, to performance.

 

The Production Team

The Performing Arts Unit assembled a team of musical theatre professionals that any internet search will show, are leading talents in Australia’s performing arts scene.

Director - Neill Gladwin, Musical director - Kirk Skinner, Choreographer - Mark Laguerre, Production designer – Andrew Bellchambers, Costume designer - Isaac Lummis, Publicity - Kerrie Theobold, Production, Stage and Technical management - the Adam Lowe group.

All this, combined with the proven major event experience of  the Performing Arts Unit and a popular season at Melbourne’s historic Comedy Theatre, has raised this initiative to the level of a professional commercial theatre.

Sponsor

The Performing Arts Unit thanks Sansha Australia for its sponsorship of the 2009 production of "Barnum".

Sansha is a supplier of dance wear, pointe shoes, ballet flats, jazz and tap shoes, leotards, tights, knitwear, leisure and yoga wear and accessories for the dancer. From beginners to professionals, children to adults, Sansha is a proud supporter of dance and the performing arts.

For more information, see: Sansha

Promotions

 

For a copy of the "Barnum" poster, see: Barnum Poster (PDF - 886Kb)

For a copy of the "Barnum" flyer, see: Barnum Flyer (PDF - 923Kb)