The Greatest Showman was Aired in 2017 is an American musical biographical drama film directed by Michael Gracey in his directorial debut, written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. The biographical musical was about young Phineas T. Barnum’s life as a child, entrepreneur, museum owner, circus producer, and entertainment producer.

In general, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the performances, music, and production values, but criticism for its imaginative license, with some reviewers calling it “faux-inspiring and shallow”. At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the film received nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for Jackman. For the song “This Is Me”, the film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards and won the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
As a young boy, Phineas “Finn”, the son of a tailor, meets Charity, the daughter of one of his father’s wealthy clients. He makes her laugh and earns a slap from her father for it, but the spark between them lasts throughout their adolescence, even while she is away at boarding school and he is an orphan in the streets.

Years later, Finn and Charity marry and have two girls. He manages to secure a loan to open up a museum of oddities, and when that starts to fail, he’s inspired by a brief encounter with a little person to invite unusual-looking folks including bearded lady Letty Lutz, Tom Thumb, and black brother-and-sister trapeze artists W.D. Wheeler and Anne Wheeler to join a show focused around them. With a little exaggeration from costumes and makeup, he opens what will become the first circus. Although Barnum’s show is critically criticized, the masses love it. He earns a fortune, but Barnum cannot stop looking for approval from the upper crust.
At Grimscote Manor we truly enjoyed the film, so we decided to celebrate on the 13th April 2019 with a themed afternoon tea. We had all the famous songs on throughout the day to sing along to, with the film playing halfway through the afternoon for the duration. We decorated the room with red and white runners for the tables, bunting across the room, black, red, and gold balloons for each table provided by Mr. Pinks on Coleshill high street. Our table plan was decorated in house to the theme, we had indoor games such as “hook a duck” connect 4, giant Jenga.
The adult afternoon tea was truly delicious, our guests arrived to a bubble-gum cocktail topped with candy floss when we finally mastered making our own candy floss. The afternoon consisted of a fruit scone, served with cream and homemade strawberry jam, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, chocolate fudge cake, sugared donuts accompanied by melted milk chocolate to dip into, a large marshmallow to dunk, and a homemade fairy cake. To complete the treats there was a hot dog with or without onions depending on personal preference, coronation chicken sandwich, and a bag of popcorn to enjoy the film with.
The children afternoon consisted of a hot dog, sugared donuts accompanied by melted white chocolate to dip into, a large marshmallow to dunk, candy floss, homemade fairy cake topped with greatest showman edible toppers, and a pot of popcorn to watch the film with. Each child had their own box of goodies, which included a packet of sweets, colouring paper of the characters, and pens. We enjoyed 15 tables of families joining of all generations, to enjoy a well-earnt family day full of sweet treats, giggles, and lots of nattering.

We cannot wait to celebrate another themed afternoon tea. Do not forget if you have any ideas for a themed event why not send us your thoughts?