The long-awaited stage adaptation of the blockbuster musical film The Greatest Showman is finally becoming a reality. The production is slated to hold its world premiere in the British city of Bristol around March 2026, marking the first step in a journey destined for London’s West End and, eventually, Broadway.

This major addition to the theatrical calendar signals a significant changing of the guard for Disney Theatrical Group. To make room for P.T. Barnum’s circus, the current tenant at the prestigious Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Hercules, has set a definitive closing date.

A New Era at Drury Lane

While no official venue has been confirmed by Disney for the London transfer of The Greatest Showman, sources indicate the production has an agreement to take over the Theatre Royal Drury Lane following its Bristol tryout. The venue is owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres group.

Consequently, the stage production of Disney’s Hercules, which officially opened at Drury Lane in June 2025, will play its final performance on September 5. The show recently extended its booking period for a final time. This clears the deck for the new arrival, creating a direct handover between two massive Disney properties—both of which happen to be helmed by the same director.

Casey Nicholaw, the Tony Award-winning director known for The Book of Mormon and Some Like It Hot, is the common thread between the two productions. Having successfully directed and choreographed Hercules, Nicholaw has been tapped by Disney Theatrical executives Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher to bring the spectacle of The Greatest Showman to the stage.

‘Showman’ to Feature New Score Additions

The 2017 film, which starred Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, and Zac Efron, was a global phenomenon, grossing $459 million. Fans of the movie can rest easy knowing the stage version will retain the chart-topping hits. Anne Quart, Disney Theatrical Group’s executive producer, confirmed that the score will include favorites like “The Greatest Show,” “A Million Dreams,” “Rewrite the Stars,” and the anthem “This Is Me.”

However, the stage adaptation will expand significantly on the source material. Songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have returned to pen five new songs for the production. Among them is a rallying act-one finale titled “Show Goes On.”

The creative team has spent months refining the script and score, culminating in an extensive workshop held in London last fall. According to Quart, the workshop was a pivotal moment for the production. She noted that while there is still work to be done regarding cuts and scene adjustments, the “bones” of the show are solid, leaving the team feeling very optimistic. The book for the musical is written by Tim Federle, known for his work on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Casting and Production Timeline

Rehearsals for The Greatest Showman are scheduled to begin in late December or early January, leading up to the March premiere at the Bristol Hippodrome—a venue often used by Disney for pre-London tryouts.

Casting is currently in full swing, with open auditions launching this month in cities across the UK and Ireland, including Dublin, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. While speculation has been rife, fans shouldn’t expect to see the original film cast reprise their roles. Hugh Jackman will not be returning as Barnum. Furthermore, despite Keala Settle’s defining performance as the bearded lady in the film—and her current presence in the UK theater scene—Quart indicated it is unlikely she, or any other film alumni, will join the musical cast. The intent is to build a fresh company for the stage production.

‘Hercules’ Takes Its Final Bow

As excitement builds for the new production, the London cast of Hercules prepares for their final summer at Drury Lane. The production, based on the 1997 animated classic, features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, with a book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah.

The closing cast is led by Luke Brady in the title role, with a supporting lineup including Candace Furbert as Thalia, Mae Ann Jorolan as Meg, and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Phil. The production also features a large ensemble and standby team.

This West End run was the culmination of a long developmental road for Hercules, which saw earlier iterations at the Public Theater in New York and the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. The current version was based on a premiere in Hamburg, where Nicholaw and co-choreographer Tanisha Scott first refined the staging.