Burlesque the Musical—based on Steven Antin’s film of the same name, which starred Christina Aguilera and Cher—officially opened its West End premiere July 22 at the Savoy Theatre, and the reviews are rolling in. See what critics are saying below.
Directed and choreographed by Todrick Hall, the production is currently scheduled to continue through September 6.
Jess Folley, who has written new music for the show alongside Hall, returns to the role of Ali Rose after originating the part in Manchester and Glasgow last year. Also returning from the previous runs are Hall as Sean and Olivier winner George Maguire as Vince. They are joined by Tony nominee Orfeh, making her West End debut taking on the role of Tess, originated for the screen by Cher; Asha Parker Wallace, making her professional debut as Nikki; and Paul Jacob French playing Jackson.
Completing the cast are Sophie Cracknell as Daphne, Hope Dawe as the Alternate Ali Rose, Jake Dupree as Trey/Chardonnay, Idriss Kargbo as Alternate Sean, Billie Kay as Sophia and Second Tess, Charlotte Jaconelli as Queenie, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Callum Macdonald as cover for Vince and Trey, Jess Qualter as Spring, and Alessia McDermott as Summer and Second Nikki, plus ensemble members Michael Afemare, Courtenay Brady, Paje Campbell, Marlee Fergusson, Deja Linton, Liam Roodhouse, Janine Somcio, and Daniel Wijingaarden as well as swings Callum Bell, Angus Good, Elly Jay, and India Thornton.
Read the reviews below.
BroadwayWorld (Aliya Al-Hassan)
The Independent (Alice Saville)
The Telegraph (Claire Allfree)*
TimeOut London (Andrzej Lukowski)
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Written and produced by Antin with additional material by Kate Wetherhead (The Devil Wears Prada), Burlesque features songs by Christina Aguilera and Sia, with new music by Hall and Folley.
The musical follows Ali, who heads to the bright lights of New York in search of her long-lost mother and finds herself drawn into an underground world where the beat of the music and the heat of the dance moves will change her life forever.
The creative team also includes orchestrator and arranger Tom Curran, set designer Nate Bertone, costume designer Marco Marco with additional costume designs by Roberto Surace, lighting designer Rory Beaton, video designer Nina Dunn, sound designer Ben Harrison, wigs and hair designer Jessica Plews, makeup designer Dominic Skinner, musical supervisor Toby Higgins, casting director Harry Blumenau, and production manager Patrick Malony.
Adam Paulden and Jason Haigh-Ellery are producing, with Sue Gilad and Larry Rogowsky, Steven Antin and Christina Aguilera, and Clint Culpepper.
Visit BurlesqueOnStage.com.
Marlee Jay in Burlesque
Jess Folley and Paul Jacob French in Burlesque
Asha Parker Wallace and company of Burlesque
Alessia McDermott and Jess Qualter in Burlesque
Alessia McDermott and Jess Qualter in Burlesque
Sophie Cracknell and company of Burlesque
Sophie Cracknell and company of Burlesque
Todrick Hall, Orfeh, Jess Folley, George Maguire, Paul Jacob French, and Asha Parker-Wallace in Burlesque The Musical
Jess Folley in Burlesque The Musical
