Review: High School Musical at The Arts Theatre
October 11, 2026
Step right up, Adelaide! The Big Top has arrived, bringing a generous dose of razzle-dazzle, circus magic and theatrical spectacle. If ever there was a production designed to make an entrance, COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular certainly knows how to raise the curtain, or, in this case, the tent!
Opening at Morphettville Racecourse, this production takes the much-loved music and spirit of the hit film The Greatest Showman and reimagines it as an immersive entertainment experience. Blending musical theatre, dance and world-class circus artistry, audiences are invited to leave reality at the door and step into a world where the extraordinary is the order of the day.
At the creative helm is Simon Hammerstein, the Drama Desk Award-winning Creative Director renowned for his work in immersive entertainment and large-scale productions. Hammerstein has developed an imaginative world of circus families, colourful characters and extraordinary physical feats. The result is a lively theatrical hybrid that feels more like entering a travelling circus than attending a conventional musical.
The story follows Max, played by Ruby Clark, who finds herself drawn into circus life after arriving to watch her boyfriend’s first trapeze performance. While the narrative is relatively simple, it provides a framework for introducing the eclectic company and showcasing the many talents within it.
One of the production’s biggest drawcards is undoubtedly the soundtrack by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Already a collection of much-loved musical anthems, these songs take on a new dimension when delivered by a live company and accompanied by a full band.
From the opening drive of The Greatest Show and Come Alive to the infectious rhythm of The Other Side, the soaring optimism of A Million Dreams and the emotional poignancy of Never Enough and Tightrope, there is plenty to delight devotees of the original film.
Of course, the big crowd-pleasers are never far away. This Is Me, Rewrite the Stars and From Now On have become firm favourites with musical theatre audiences, and they receive performances worthy of their reputation.
The arrangements preserve the emotional connection of the original compositions while introducing a bigger, more contemporary sound. Rock influences, pop sensibilities and orchestral flourishes give the numbers a fresh edge, with the musicians navigating every shift in style and intensity with impressive precision.
The live band deserves considerable recognition. Rather than simply accompanying the vocalists, the musicians drive the production, adding depth and immediacy to the familiar melodies. It’s a terrific reminder of just how much a live musical score contributes to the theatre experience.
With such a recognisable soundtrack, the vocal demands are considerable, but the company rises to the occasion. These are songs that require power, expression and a strong connection with the audience, and there are some impressive musical moments throughout.
Leading the company is Des Flanagan as The Showman. With commanding vocals, natural charm and charisma and an assured stage presence, Flanagan makes an engaging centrepiece. He embraces the flamboyance of the character while retaining the warmth and humanity beneath the showman’s larger-than-life persona.
As Max, Ruby Clark brings an appealing combination of warmth and personality, guiding audiences through her discovery of this unusual community, backed by her powerful vocal delivery.
The featured performers each add their own flavour to the circus family. Olivia Carniato as Eve the Snake Charmer, Jade Delmiguez as Sapphire the Fortune Teller, Harrison Riley as Tex the Cowboy and Charly Williams as Samson the Strongman bring character and vocal personality to the show.
The dance ensemble, Maisie Axton, Ally Bircher, Steve Costi, Diego García Rendon, Samantha Goldie, Owen Jones, Liam Papanicolaou and Malena Searles, provides the movement and momentum that tie the production together.
Choreographers Jerry Reeve and Lukas McFarlane have created sequences that combine the precision of musical theatre dance with the athleticism of circus performance. The ensemble is integral to the storytelling, moving fluidly between character work, musical numbers and the larger group sequences.
Where COME ALIVE! truly sets itself apart is in its circus artistry. The company features Kimberley Bargenquast, Niña Brown, Alexey Glavatskyi, Shaun Gregory, Griffin Hooper, Julia Koneczny, Harry McKoy, Flynn Miller, Lucy Ridings, Itzel Salvatierra, Ewan Schell, Jake Silvestro, Tim Simpson, Andrew Sumner, Harley Timmermans, Ben Van Overberghe and Laura Wells.
Among the incredible acts is Solomon Solgit whose slackwire performance, including riding atop a unicycle, is a remarkable demonstration of balance, coordination and nerve. Navigating the wire with such apparent confidence is no small feat, and the combination of technical ability and showmanship makes for a particularly memorable moment.
Andrew Sumner is another standout, taking to the aerial straps in a display of extraordinary strength and flexibility. With every spin, rotation and seemingly impossible contortion, I found myself wondering whether his shoulders were about to dislocate! It’s a jaw-dropping combination of power, control and courage and certainly not one for the faint-hearted.
Laura Wells delivers an extraordinary highlight with her hair hang act. Suspended entirely by her hair, Wells demonstrates astonishing strength and control in a performance that is as beautiful as it is nerve-racking. There were probably a few audience members instinctively reaching for their own scalps!
The wider circus company showcases an impressive range of disciplines, including aerial artistry, acrobatics, balancing and feats of strength. The physical demands are extraordinary, and the years of training, trust and discipline behind these performances are evident and awe inspiring.
Circus choreography by Tilde Björfors and Mattias Andersson, alongside circus consultant Craig Dagostino, brings the various disciplines together with impressive cohesion. Rather than presenting a series of disconnected circus turns, the acts are woven into the musical storytelling, creating a continuous interplay between performers, musicians and dancers.
The purpose-built Hippodrome at Morphettville provides an atmospheric setting for the production, with the circus pre-show establishing a sense of occasion before the performance even begins.
Visually, the creative team has embraced the opportunity to go big. Ruby Law’s set design, Susan Kulkarni’s costumes and Adam Bassett’s lighting design combine to create a colourful and distinctive theatrical world.
The costumes are particularly effective, capturing the character and flamboyance of the circus aesthetic while accommodating the considerable physical demands placed on the performers. Lighting and technical effects further enhance the atmosphere, shifting the focus between musical theatre, intimate character moments and spectacular circus sequences.
COME ALIVE! is a celebration of individuality, creativity and the sheer joy of live performance. It takes an already beloved soundtrack and surrounds it with a fresh theatrical concept, bringing together artists from several disciplines in a production that is ambitious in both scale and execution.
Those expecting a conventional book musical with a deeply developed storyline may find the narrative takes a back seat to the entertainment. However, this is very much a production built around the experience rather than the plot. Its appeal lies in the combination of powerful vocals, accomplished musicianship, dynamic choreography and extraordinary circus talent.
There is something particularly rewarding about seeing singers, dancers, musicians and circus artists share the same theatrical space, each contributing a highly specialised skill to a collective performance.
For Adelaide audiences, this is an opportunity to experience something a little different from the usual musical theatre offering. Whether you’re a fan of the film, a theatre enthusiast, a circus devotee or simply looking for a memorable night out, there is plenty to enjoy beneath this Big Top.
A spectacular night of musical theatre and circus entertainment that reminds us why we keep coming back to the magic of live performance. Now that’s what I call the greatest show!
5 stars
Lia Loves.
