• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Yes
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 3.2 Ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Terry Hughes, Peter Coe (II)
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 53 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ February 27, 2001
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Michael Crawford, Eileen Battye, Michael Heath, Christina Collier, Sharon Benson
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Water Bearer Films
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

A leaping, spinning, and singing Michael Crawford stars as the worlds greatest showman, Phineas T. Barnum, in Harold Fielding's rousing Victoria Palace production of the smash circus musical Barnum. Hailed as "the definitive Barnum", Crawford delivers beautiful songs and show stopping circus moments one after another. the story traces P.T. Barnum's career from his humble beginnings as a sideshow promoter, right through to co-founding "The Greatest Show On Earth": The Barnum & Bailey Circus. grab some cotton candy and get ready for The Greatest Video On Earth!

Barnum first opened on Broadway at the the St. James Theatre on April 30, 1980. The production starred Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and a cast of multi-talented singers, dancers, and acrobats.

The show received generally positive reviews, though reviewers were critical of the thin book. Jim Dale garnered rave reviews for his performance as the title character.

The Broadway production was nominated for a slew of awards, including 10 Tony Awards. It won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Scenic Design. Jim Dale picked up a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and the production won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical.

The Broadway production played 854 performances before closing on May 16, 1982.

When Barnum opened in Paris at the Cirque d’Hiver (Winter Circus) on March 26, 1981, it became the first Broadway show to open in Paris before opening in London. Despite much hype and a black tie opening night attended by royals and celebrities, the French production of Barnum was a commercial flop.

Shortly after the Paris run, Barnum opened at the London Palladium in June 1981 starring the much-loved Michael Crawford — The Observer’s theatre critic Robert Cushman noted that Crawford “won the standingest [sic] ovation” he had ever witnessed.

Like Jim Dale in the Broadway production, Michael Crawford received rave reviews for his portrayal of P.T. Barnum.

The London production of Barnum broke house records, and played for 655 performances.

After an extended tour of Germany, Barnum returned to tour the UK in March 1984. The touring production opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre on March 14, 1985. In his second review of the production, The Guardian’s Michael Billington noted that Barnum felt “more at home” in the Palace than its previous venue, the Palladium. Billington once again gave lavish praise to Michael Crawford, claiming Crawford delivered “the most energetic performance I have ever seen in a musical.”

Barnum has been performed internationally, with major productions being staged in Australia and Spain in the 1980s, and throughout the United States.