"Barnum's the name, P. T. Barnum, and on this stage tonight, you're going to see every sight, wonder and miracle that name stands for..." So opens the musical 'Barnum', which is being played at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, from July 7 to 14.

Telling the story of Phineas Taylor Barnum, the greatest showman of them all, 'Barnum' is memorable for having been a vehicle for Michael Crawford, in which he had to walk a tightrope, juggle, slide down ropes and be thrown through the air.

In probably their most ambitious show to date, this Haverfordwest Operatic Society production at the Torch will recreate 99 per cent of the West End original.

"It has been a tremendous task to put together a show on this scale," its director and choreographer Julia Rees told the Observer this week. "Little did I think that when I saw the West End production at the Palladium that one day I would be directing the show!

"Where most musicals have big chorus numbers and dance routines, with the majority of the cast doing the same thing, in 'Barnum' everyone is doing something different, which means that everyone has to be choreographed individually.

"I cannot speak too highly of our cast, 'Barnum' is a show where ordinary people have to do extraordinary things.

"As a result, everyone has to have total confidence and trust in their fellow cast members and this has made the company very much a family who all look out for each other.

"The rehearsal period has been so much fun, especially the circus workshops organised by Jugglestruck where new skills, including stilt-walking, juggling and plate-spinning, were learned.

"Our technical crew are first rate as well. Clive Raymond has produced a wonderful lighting design for the show using every lantern the Torch has!

"He has also found time to draw up the sound design using some 30 mikes - all this in addition to playing rehearsal piano and writing special orchestrations for the show!"

Taking on the role of Barnum is Andrew Rees.

"This has got to be one of the biggest roles in musical theatre," he said. "Barnum is hardly ever off stage, but it is anything but a one man show. Everyone is fully occupied the whole time.

"It's not a case of on for a chorus number and then back to the dressing room for half-an-hour," Andrew continued. "The technical nature of the show makes it potentially very dangerous too, just like the circus itself."

Andrew revealed that he would be doing all the tricks that have become part of the tradition of the show.

"Walking the tight rope wire has been hard," he admitted. "It's just like being on a cheese cutter with the added advantage that, on stage, I'll be six-foot up in the air!

"But that's not all," he added. "There's still the juggling and being thrown backwards. There are so many opportunities for me to make a complete prat of myself in this show - but then I'm sure that will be an added attraction!"

When asked if it had been difficult being directed by his wife, Andrew replied: "Not at all. In spite of some rumours to the contrary, we've got an excellent working relationship - Julia tells me what to do and I do it!

"Then when we go home and Julia tells me what to do, I do it!

"Julia has been working on this show for two years and she has put in literally hundreds of hours on the choreography, direction, setting, costume design - some 120 costumes are being made for this show in addition to the ones being hired - and sourcing set and props.

"She has enough on her plate to worry about without me turning 'queenie'."

The production also features Carole Mackintosh as Barnum's hypochondriac wife Charity; Loretta Jones as young Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind; David Roach as the Ringmaster; Pam Williams as Joice Heth (who Barnum claimed was 161 years old and had been George Washington's nanny!) and Dave Haynes as Charles Sherwood Stratton, who was better known as 'General Tom Thumb'.

With musical direction by Ifor Phillips and featuring songs including Come Follow the Band, The Colours of My Life, Love Makes Such Fools of Us All and Join the Circus, 'Barnum' promises to be a show full of colour, pace, vitality and fun.

In fact, it's a show for all the family, which is fitting as it is a show based on the life of 'the children's friend' who established himself as the world's premier promoter of family entertainment.

'Barnum' can be seen at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, from July 7 through to July 14, from 7.30 pm, with a matinee on Saturday, July 14, at 2 pm.

Tickets, priced from £5 to £8, are available from the Torch Theatre box office on (01646) 695267.