Come Alive! Reviews: What the Critics Say

Come Alive! opened its big top at the Empress Museum, Earls Court, in October 2024, and the reviews ran from four stars to two, with everyone impressed by the circus itself. Here is what they said, in one place.

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The Critics' Verdict

The Times (4/5) found "a dynamic string of circus acts accompanied by anthemic songs from the film's score", The Stage (4/5) called it "one of the most intense circus experiences ever", and The Sun cheered. The Daily Express (4/5) called it "Moulin Rouge meets Secret Cinema". Time Out, BroadwayWorld and London Theatre 1 sat at three stars, Musical Theatre Review raved at five, and the Guardian (2/5) was the dissent. Every review, warm or cool, rates the circus acts as the real thing, and every review finds the connecting story the weakest part. The disagreement is only over how much that matters at a party.

What the Reviews Praised

The acts, everywhere. The Times (4/5) praised a show that "strips back the storyline but keeps all the best anthems", closing: "If I had young children, the big top would get my vote." The Stage (Paul Vale, 4/5) threw its hat in the air over "astounding acrobatics and a succession of spectacular set pieces". Time Out (3/5) loved the close-up physicality: "you can see each muscle contort and flex". Musical Theatre Review (5/5) called the whole thing an "absolutely delightful immersive experience", and even BroadwayWorld (3/5), the most reserved, singled out aerialist Bella Diosa as "something truly special". The songbook, performed live, pleased everyone.

Where Reviews Were Mixed

The story and the volume. The Guardian's Chris Wiegand (2/5) felt the show "lacks a knockout performance", with "a throbbing sound design that makes the seating shudder"; Time Out found a "bordering-on-incoherent story that has nothing to do with PT Barnum"; even the five-star review conceded the added plot "strays a bit too far from the life of Barnum"; BroadwayWorld judged the whole "entertaining without being in any way memorable or groundbreaking". London Theatre 1 flagged the practical points: with simultaneous acts "you didn't know where to look", and it is "very, very loud".

Is Come Alive! Right for You?

If your family knows the film's soundtrack and wants real circus up close, the reviews say book happily; this is exactly the crowd the show sends home smiling, and children from 5 up are its best audience. If you want the film's story told on stage, the critics are equally clear that this is not that; it is a circus night with the songs. Sensitive to noise, strobe or fire effects? Take the warnings seriously. On the fence? Call us on 020 7193 9050 and a real person will talk you through it.

Book Come Alive! Tickets

Come Alive! plays at the Empress Museum, Wednesday to Sunday, booking to 29 August 2027, with doors an hour before curtain for the pre-show. Prices run from around £50 up to around £125, with premium seats from around £150 to £200, and with us the price you see is the price you pay, with nothing added at checkout. Come Alive! tickets are bookable online, or call us on 020 7193 9050.

Sources: The Times, The Guardian, The Stage, The Sun, Time Out, BroadwayWorld, Musical Theatre Review, London Theatre 1, Daily Express.