Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett to lead The Greatest Showman stage adaptation

West End stalwarts Samantha Barks and Oliver Tompsett are to star in the new stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman, which is to premiere in Bristol next spring. 

Tompsett will play PT Barnum, the showman and businessman who was portrayed by Hugh Jackman in the 2017 film, with Bark as his wife, Charity. 

Ben Joyce, Vajèn van den Bosch and Malinda Paris have also been revealed as among the principal cast, with Mia Raggio, Angelica Pearl Scott, Maya Sewrey, Harly Gill, Ellie McArdle, Eleanor Sebastian, Max Bispham, Joel Tennant, Clark Young, Josh St. Clair and Katie Tonkinson set to join them onstage.

The upcoming stage musical, which is based on the film, is produced by Disney Theatrical Group and directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, who is behind the current production of Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

It has songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Tim Federle, and is to enjoy its premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome on March 15, where it is scheduled to run until May 10. 

Barks, whose credits include Elsa in Frozen, said: "I’m thrilled to be rejoining the Disney family to play Charity Barnum. 

"There is something utterly magical about The Greatest Showman - the songs have become instant classics - and I’m so excited to partner with Olly to bring this incredible couple and their enduring love to life on stage." 

Tompsett added: "Roles like this don’t come along very often, so it’s an absolute privilege to be taking on this incredible character in the original company of The Greatest Showman." 

The Greatest Showman’s creative team also includes orchestrations and music supervision from Alex Lacamoire, scenic design from David Korins, costume design from Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser, lighting design from Natasha Katz, sound design from Peter Hylenski, video design from George Reeve and circus creation and design from Lorenzo Pisoni. 

As well as Disney Theatrical Group, the Seelig Group - one of the producers of the film - is on board as a producer.