The Greatest Showman: The Musical just got its biggest news yet at D23…it’s officially heading to London’s West End, landing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starting spring 2027!
For anyone who’s been following along, this has been a long time coming.
The stage adaptation of the 2017 movie musical first got teased back at D23 2024, before making its world premiere earlier this year at the Bristol Hippodrome, where it played a sold-out run from March 15 through May 10, 2026. From there, all signs pointed toward a West End transfer, and now it’s official.
Much of the beloved Bristol cast is set to return for the London run, including Oliver Tompsett stepping into Hugh Jackman’s shoes as P.T. Barnum, and Samantha Barks taking on Charity Barnum, the role originated on screen by Michelle Williams. Ben Joyce plays Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron’s part in the film), Lorna Courtney takes on Anne Wheeler (played by Zendaya), Vajèn van den Bosch plays Jenny Lind, and Malinda Parris rounds out the principal cast as Lettie Lutz.
The production is directed and choreographed by two-time Tony winner Casey Nicholaw, whose credits include The Book of Mormon and Disney’s own Hercules — which, notably, is wrapping its own West End run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane right around the time this show is expected to move in. Convenient timing, to say the least!
Musically, the show features every song from the film you’d expect, plus five brand-new numbers written by the film’s original songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including a new addition called “Show Goes On.” The book is by Tim Federle, an Emmy nominee known for his work on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
No exact opening date or ticket on-sale information was shared during the D23 reveal…Disney says those details are still to come. But between the confirmed venue, the returning cast, and new music from Pasek and Paul, this is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Disney stage transfers in recent memory.
Are you planning a trip to London to see The Greatest Showman on stage? Let me know if you caught the Bristol run!
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