Review: Berkeley Arts ‘The Greatest Showman’

April 21, 2023

P.T. Barnum, the greatest showman, once said, “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” The audience who attend the two performances at the Berkeley Institute of this two act play with 22 scenes and a finale were kept happy by these young actors who took on a huge challenge to bring to life the story of Phineas Taylor Barnum, “who grew up in the 1800s and always had a natural gift for publicity and promotion.”

Led on stage by the talented Jaden-Alex Walrond as Barnum and a large cast with dancers, acrobats, and musician/singers, director/drama teacher Joelle K. Williams pulled off a miracle when students knew their lines and performed confidently, and the scenes were changed without hesitation. With so much going on, the audience had their favourites – the dancers instructed by T’Kai Swan and Cherrae Franklin, and the acrobats – aerial instructor Sophia Cannonier [lotus] with Queen Victoria – [teacher] Dee-ah Iris – adding to this “phenomenal classic.”

The introduction of Barnum with twirling flags was effective, and later we meet the stars who performed in Barnum’s circus – the bearded woman, the tattooed male weight lifter, and others. A highlight for the performers was a meeting with Queen Victoria and a host of royalty from around the world also invited for the occasion.

Congrats on the sets, especially the tree that enhanced the performance and also to the live acrobats. Circuses that came to Bermuda had elephants, tigers, and employees juggling on stilts, trapeze, cyr wheel, tightrope walking, or even swallowing a sword. But the emphasis on stage was the story and the safety of the students. The play revealed the challenges he had in life: losing his job, opening Barnum’s American Museum, bankruptcy, negotiating loans, a fire, and his marriage.

Students today can still see a live circus: Loomis Bros Circus, Jordan World, Caden International, Royal Hanneford, and Carson and Barnes.

Students and supportive staff are no doubt delighted that they pulled of The Greatest Show on Earth in front of a live Bermuda audience.

- Dale Butler is a Berkeley graduate. He attended two circuses in Bermuda and a number abroad.