A guide to the songs from 'The Greatest Showman'

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's score includes the hits "A Million Dreams", "Never Enough", and "This is Me".

Summary

• The Greatest Showman premieres in the West End in spring 2027
• Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's score includes all the numbers from the film with some new additions
• The biggest hits include "A Million Dreams"; "Come Alive" and "The Greatest Show"

You’ll be dreaming with your eyes wide open next spring when Disney’s The Greatest Showman arrives in the West End at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. One of the most popular blockbusters of the past decade, the story is tailor-made for the stage with its irrepressible pop score filled with power ballads and rousing ensemble numbers by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land).

Following a try-out in Bristol earlier this year, Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks are set to reprise their roles as PT and Charity Barnum, with Ben Joyce as Phillip Carlyle, Vajèn van den Bosch as Jenny Lind, and Malinda Parris as Lettie Lutz – we can’t wait to hear them belt out all these showstoppers on one of the West End’s most majestic stages.

For the Bristol run, Pasek and Paul penned some new numbers for the stage musical, including the ensemble numbers “The Dust and the Dreams” and “Unusual”, the solo "Skybound" for the acrobat Anne Wheeler, and the duet “Undeniable” for Barnum and Jenny. In the meantime, however, read our guide to the unforgettable songs from the film.

Check back for The Greatest Showman tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

“The Greatest Show”

“Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for!” PT Barnum is the embodiment of the entertainment industry and he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his ambitions: “Don't fight it, it's comin' for you, runnin' at ya / It's only this moment, don't care what comes after / Your fever dream, can't you see it gettin' closer? / Just surrender 'cause you feel the feelin' takin' over”. This brash and glitzy opening number encapsulates all the major themes in the story – now sit back and watch the whole plot come to life!

“A Million Dreams”

Let’s start at the very beginning of Barnum’s story... the young Phineas Taylor Barnum and his tailor father work for the wealthy Hallett family but Phineas has big dreams and strikes up a friendship with Charity, the daughter of the house. Charity is sent to boarding school but she and Phineas reunite as adults and, despite her parents’ disapproval, they marry, move to New York City, and have two daughters, Caroline and Helen.

“A Million Dreams” (reprise)

Barnum passes on his philosophy to Caroline and Helen. Charity is happy with their modest lifestyle but the restless Phineas is always striving for more.

“Come Alive”

After losing his job as a shipping clerk, Barnum secures a loan to open Barnum’s Wax Museum, displaying wax figures of famous figures. However, audiences don’t come flocking and the girls suggest he showcases “something alive”. He gathers a group of “novelty” acts, including “bearded lady” Lettie Lutz and “dwarf man” Charles Stratton (“Tom Thumb”), all of whom have spent their lives hidden away from society. Not everyone is going to like what they do but he urges his team not to hide their light under a bushel: “Come alive, come alive / Go and light your light, let it burn so bright / Reachin' up to the sky / And it's open wide, you're electrified”.

“The Other Side”

Barnum befriends Phillip Carlyle, an aspiring playwright and the scion of a wealthy family and encourages his to run away with the circus. Phillip is content with his privileged life but he’s drawn to Barnum’s gift of the gab. They banter and Phillip drives a hard bargain, but he’s in. He falls in love with African American trapeze artist Anne Wheeler and uses his connection to arrange for the Barnum troupe to meet Queen Victoria.

“Never Enough”

Barnum encounters the “Swedish nightingale” Jenny Lind and sets his heart on having her join the troupe. She brings the house down with this power ballad. “All the shine of a thousand spotlights / All the stars we steal from the night sky / Will never be enough / Never be enough”... it’s the story of Barnum’s life.

“This is Me”

As Barnum becomes enmeshed in high society, he distances himself from the performers who helped him to make his name. Lettie leads this anthem of defiance in which she and the rest of the gang of underdogs stand up to their bullies and refuse to be anything but themselves. "I am brave, I am bruised/ I am who I'm meant to be, this is me,” she sings.

“Rewrite the Stars”

Phillip’s parents threaten to cut him off due to his relationship with Anne. He tries to persuade her that they can still be together but she takes a more realistic view. She wants to be with him, but the class and racial differences feel insurmountable.

“Tightrope”

At home, the neglected Charity reflects on the "tightrope” of her marriage. She chose to pursue excitement and support her husband’s dreams but she has been left isolated.

“Never Enough” (Reprise)

Meanwhile, on tour, Jenny is romantically drawn to Barnum and when she is rebuffed, responds with a kiss in front of the press. She quits and the rest of the tour is cancelled.

“From Now On”

As if things couldn’t get any worse, the circus burns down following a fight between the performers and protestors and Barnum’s mansion is foreclosed. Charity and the girls move in with her parents. Barnum heads to a bar where he is consoled by his troupe – despite everything, they still regard him as family. Barnum vows “these eyes will not be blinded by the lights” and reconciles with Charity.

“The Greatest Show”

The revamped show is a huge success – and Phillip, as a full partner, now shares the role of ringmaster with Barnum. He leaves work early to attend Caroline and Helen’s ballet recital – in his own inimitable style, of course!

Check back for The Greatest Showman tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks. (Photo by Sebastian Nevols)