Burlesque: The Musical is a dazzling stage adaptation inspired by the 2010 cult film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.
After a successful premiere at the Manchester Opera House in 2023, the production received rave reviews for its empowering themes, powerhouse vocals, and spectacular choreography. Now, Burlesque: The Musical has been re-vamped by online sensation Todrick Hall and is lighting up the West End’s Savoy Theatre, bringing sparkle, seduction, and show-stopping glamour to London audiences.
Discover a club like no other… a place beneath the city lights where sequins sparkle, seduction shimmers, and a life can change in the flick of a feather boa. Burlesque follows Ali who arrives in New York searching for the mother she never knew. She’s drawn to underground haven pulsing with passion and performance. As she’s swept into the glittering world of burlesque, she discovers that sometimes, to find yourself, you have to take the stage.
As our heroine Ali, Jess Folley gives a phenomenal performance. Blowing the roof off the Savoy Theatre with her powerful vocal, Folley leads the show with charisma, emotional depth and star quality. Whether belting out powerhouse ballads like Bound To You in Act Two or serving riffs in songs like film-favourite Tough Lover, Folley proves herself a true triple threat and a breakout star to watch.
Todrick Hall fans will not be disappointed as he takes on the roles of Sean and Miss Loretta. Delivering his signature style of performance, Hall gives a fun performance full of sass, precision and personality.
As Ali’s love interest Vince, Paul Jacob French delivers swoon worthy vocals and an easy chemistry with Folley which is the perfect counterbalance to the glitz and glamour surrounding them.
As the villain of the piece, George Maguire delivers a delightfully dastardly performance as Vince, blending charm and menace with a magnetic presence.
As Ali’s rival, Asha Parker Wallace gives a wonderful performance as Nikki. With vocals for days and a fierce stage presence that commands attention, Wallace brings a captivating blend of attitude and vulnerability to the role ensuring Nikki is a force to be reckoned with.
As the owner of the club, Orfeh delivers an unforgettable performance as Tess, with beautiful, heartfelt renditions of You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me and Got It All From You. She commands the stage with a presence only seen in actors of her calibre, proving she is the Queen we all know and love. London is extremely lucky to have her in her West End debut, and she delivers, and then some!
To let Burlesque truly shine, the production’s design is crucial, and Nate Bertone’s set design alongside Marco Marco’s costumes excel on every level. Bertone’s sleek and elegant sets perfectly suit the playing space, creating a visually stunning backdrop that enhances the story. Meanwhile, Marco Marco’s costume design brings the burlesque performances to life, covering just enough of the actors to be scintillating while allowing their charisma to truly sparkle.
While much has been said about this production and its journey to opening night, what was presented on press night was a genuinely fun night out, with the audience enthusiastically leaping to their feet to join in the celebration. It’s evident that significant effort went into refining the show during previews, with Todrick Hall actively seeking advice and support from theatre practitioners, and it shows.
While the book still struggles with clarity and cohesion, with pacing and character arcs occasionally getting lost amid the glitz, it’s worth remembering that not every production needs to be, to borrow a phrase from another current show, “groundbreaking.” A fun, light-hearted production like this can still entertain and leave a lasting impression just as much as more ambitious or innovative works. After all, we’re all still talking about a certain Spice Girls musical!
Burlesque is pure, unapologetic fun—a dazzling celebration of music, dance and show-stopping performances. It is the perfect night out for anyone looking to be entertained, escape into a world of glamour, and revel in a feel-good experience. Burlesque delivers sparkle, sass and skin in equal measure. So grab your friends, dress to impress, and Welcome To Burlesque!
★★★
Review by Stuart James
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