the kings theatre

PORTSMOUTH

“Utmost admiration and sincere congratulations to [Lee] Mead’s understudy Tom Sterling who donned the top hat for his debut as Barnum. Sterling performed with conviction and gave an outstanding vocal delivery alongside a charismatic stage presence. The absence of the star certainly did not detract from the performance delivered at all and as Sterling completed his final step across the high wire successfully, the whole room was behind him.”

WEST END BEST FRIEND

“Tom Sterling played the role of Barnum last night, and just like his name, he carried a sterling performance. He brought an aura that shouts he is looking after the whole crew, and that you can be prepared to be wowed. I loved his talents, and the suspense as he takes a walk across the stage on a tight rope!”

SOUTH SEA FOLK

“Tom Sterling stepped up to the crucial central role of PT Barnum – and did so brilliantly. A measure of his performance was that you would never have known he wasn’t first choice in the role.”

SUSSEX EXPRESS

“Understudy Tom Sterling stepped into the breach magnificently and delivered a wonderfully enchanting performance”

THE NEWS, PORTSMOUTH

“Tom Sterling took to stage and immediately won the audience over. Sterling played the role of Barnum with confidence and ease."

THEATRE & ART REVIEWS

“Tom Sterling performed as the incredible nineteenth century American showman P T Barnum; as Lee Mead was unable to perform this role due to injury. Tom very much proved his worth, showcasing his acting skills, dancing and vocal talents; even demonstrating his prowess as a tightrope walker.”

WHATSGOODTODO.COM

THE LYCEUM THEATRE

sheffield

“Sterling fully embodies the role comedically, vocally and emotively, while also seeming remarkably at ease during the circus-elements of the show.”

THE SHEFFIELD STAR

“P. T. Barnum is a huge role, a massive ask for any actor and even more so for an understudy who doesn’t get the level of rehearsal or stage time to become comfortable. Tom Sterling is a very likeable Barnum, he’s a great singer and fabulous on the trumpet. [...] Sterling handles all of Barnum's songs with ease. The audience was entirely with him as he performed the famous tightrope walk across the stage.”

EVERYTHING THEATRE