★★★★
London really has Come Alive! This is a show that has it all. Musicality, drama, circus artistry and a story that all the family will love. Simon Hammerstein, an award-winning creative director, envisioned the show’s new concept, drawing inspiration from the blockbuster The Greatest Showman, featuring incredible West End talent and dazzling international circus acts. While it does adapt the original movie, the story is fresh and takes place in a contemporary setting.
Simon Bailey stars as the showman, and Aaliya Mai portrays Max—a young and shy roustabout who has grown up with the circus. The plot unfolded with the showman encouraging her to leave her partner, Cory, to find her potential within the circus, wowing us all with fire breathing, tight rope walking, trapeze acts, and vaudeville-esque dances alongside the rest of the cast.
Despite Hammerstein’s different approach than the original film, he still honoured its songs, including Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s hit tracks from the 20th Century Fox motion picture: “This Is Me,” “Rewrite the Stars,” “A Million Dreams,” and more. Not only that, but the actual decor and atmosphere make you feel as though you’ve stepped right into The Greatest Showman’s world. Before heading in for the main performance, you’ll walk through a gallery displaying ringmasters’ glittery jackets, posters of snake charmers and magicians, and even fortune teller shacks. You can also stop by food trucks selling chips, burgers, and popcorn—or, if you book the VIP experience, enjoy drinks and canapés by the private bar where you can meet the cast members and catch glimpses of them rehearsing!
The star studded Come Alive London press night included guests like Sir Ian Mckellen, Jack Whitehall, and Myleene Klass, who walked the red carpet before entering the 700-seater Big Top to enjoy the performance.
Singers
Featuring The Greatest Showman’s classic songs, ‘COME ALIVE!’ hosted an impressive lineup of talents with Aaliya Mai captivating us all with her voice in the second act alongside the backing singers. Described as a ‘powerhouse of an instrument,’ Jaz Ellington’s voice lived up to its reputation—no wonder he made a standout impression on The Voice in 2012 and represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018. In fact, Jaz’s vocal style developed at an early stage when he was introduced to some of the legendary artists, including Doris Day, Stevie Wonder, and Jill Scott, given his family’s lineage of musicians.
Other singers included Charlotte-Hannah Jones who graced the stage with Hairspray; Whitney Martins, recognised for her role in Starlight Express; and Fallon Mondlane, celebrated for her performances in What’s New Pussycat? and The Lion King. Together, these singers came together well and their vocals matched the circus art.
Dancing Troops and Circus Performers
From breathtaking acrobatics to mesmerising aerial stunts, trapeze acts, and fire-breathing, all 17 circus performers in the show left us jaw-dropped. Among the international talents were Yann LeBlanc from Cirque Éloize and La Clique, Korri Aulakh from Disneyland Hong Kong as well as Klodi Dabiewicz from The House of Dancing Water—all of whom performed with Cirque du Soleil.
The Creative Team Behind
Simon Hammerstein, the mastermind behind the ‘COME ALIVE’, brought his extensive experience into the production, having led Usher’s sold-out ‘My Way’ Las Vegas Residency and founded The Box—one of Manhattan’s most notorious clubs and variety shows. With music by Olivier Award nominee Matthew Brind, dynamic choreography by Lukas McFarlene and Jerry Reeve—who has worked with Taylor Swift—and a fresh take on the storyline, what’s truly remarkable is that all of this came together in just eight months, right after the BBC Earth Experience closed, leaving an empty building in Earl’s Court. The moment they left, Hammerstein spent sleepless nights making his dream a reality while others trained their casts and set designer Ruby Law transformed the space with the idea of a museum, showcasing all the movie’s iconic elements.
Tickets
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular has extended its run until March 2025. Happening at the Empress Museum, Earls Court, London, thousands of tickets are now on sale through March 30!
To book your tickets, visit comealiveshow.com
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All imagery courtesy of COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular at Empress Museum, London’s Earls Court.