THE national tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre smash hit production of the musical Barnum arrives in Hampshire next week.

The production, which stars Brian Conley as PT Barnum and Linzi Hateley as Chairy, will come to the Mayflower Theatre from June 9 – 20.

Brian Conley is one of the UK’s most versatile actors and performers. He most recently scored a huge success as Fagin in the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver!

His recent West End stage credits include Hairspray and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and one of the highlights of his career was originating the role of another great iconic American showman Al Jolson in Jolson for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

On television, he is probably best known for The Grimleys, The Brian Conley Show, An Audience with Brian Conley and numerous Royal Variety performances.

This production of Barnum opened at Chichester Festival Theatre’s acclaimed state-of-the-art Theatre in the Park in July last year playing to almost 70,000 people.

The musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America’s Greatest Showman.

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

Barnum was a smash-hit when it opened on Broadway in 1980. Starring Glenn Close and Jim Dale, it won three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award.

When Barnum opened at the London Palladium in 1981, Michael Crawford took the lead, winning an Olivier Award for his performance.

Tickets: 02380 711811, mayflower.org.uk.