Burlesque the musical ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Written by Steve Antin | Directed by Nick Winston
With songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall and Jess Folley
Review by Lisa in the Theatre | 17 September 2024
Based on the much-loved 2010 film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, Burlesque the musical is a spectacular new theatre production full of glitz, glamour and fun. Making its Scottish debut in Glasgow following a sold-out world premier run in Manchester, Burlesque the musical is throwing down the gauntlet to be the next big West End and Broadway musical.
With jaw-dropping vocals and top-tier production values - including a magnificent revolving stage and stunning sets (Soutra Gilmour), enhanced by Nina Dunn's incredible video design and Jack Knowles exquisite lighting, and a superb all-singing all-dancing cast in hundreds of sparkling costumes (Ryan Dawson Laight) - Burlesque looks every bit the big-budget stage extravaganza.
When Ali Rose (Jess Folley) swaps small-town Iowa for New York City, she finds more than just her long-lost mum in the underworld of a struggling Burlesque club. Via showstopping dance numbers, powerful ballads and upbeat anthems, feather boas, sequins and a bit of burlesque, Ali crosses paths with misfits, dreamers and schemers on her journey to find where she belongs.
'Burlesque the musical' follows much the same plot as the film with a few changes here and there. LA has been swapped for New York, some of the finer details about the battle for air rights above the club have been cut, and new characters have been added. The most successful of which is the truly wonderful creation of Miss Loretta (Todrick Hall.) She's simply marvellous. Bravo to the creative team for running with and expanding a crowd-favourite role. We all need a friend like Miss Loretta!
Everything this musical does, it does at a level so far above any other production I've seen on a regional stage. The constantly moving set pieces and multi-level, rotating stage are so well choreographed as to be fascinating on their own. The songs, onstage band and vocals are out of this world incredible. The dancers are fabulous, and there are so many of them! This is a very large company - the stage is full of world-class talent. And with Nick Winston's direction and sizzling choreography tying it all together, this is a smart, sensual, highly polished production.
Burlesque the musical is also, surprisingly, very funny. The dialogue is full of hilarious, very topical references that went down a treat with the crowd, and there's even a few ad-libs here and there. For the cast to feel relaxed enough to improvise and to have fun with the material is a great sign in my eyes. Burlesque the musical has everything you dreamed of.
The stage show includes some familiar songs from the film (Welcome to Burlesque, Show Me How to Burlesque, Express and You Haven't Seen the Last of Me) alongside some excellent new original material by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, and stars Jess Folley and Todrick Hall. 'Sugar Daddy Diet' is a fun new addition, and Hall's 'Big' and 'Bigger' let him own the stage and showcase what a superstar talent he really is. George Maguire's performance of 'Ammo' is destined to become iconic. The music varies with notes of jazz and tango, but I also spotted influences from Hamilton the musical, and 'The Watusi' is clearly a tribute to the iconic 'The Aloof' from Fosse's Rich Man's Frug.
Jess Folley is sensational as Ali. Her vocals are genuinely ridiculous and she plays the young, spunky, struggling songstress perfectly. Todrick Hall is an all-round entertainer. His stage presence is otherworldly. Hall's Sean is fantastic and his Miss Loretta the perfect juxtaposition, but it's the speed and skill with which he switches between the two profoundly different characters that beggars belief and delights the audience. Nina Ann Nelson is a sensation as Nikki. And Jackie Burns as club owner Tess is hands down one of the best performers I've ever seen on a stage. She genuinely made my jaw drop on more than one occasion. But I guess that is to be expected from Broadway's longest running Elphaba!
With its world-class cast and opulent staging, Burlesque the musical is exactly the kind of prodigious show I would expect to see on Broadway or in the West End. It's something special; something that you know is worth the elevated ticket price and that will entertain you from the opening beat to the last. Burlesque playing in Glasgow ahead of West End run is a rare opportunity for theatre lovers across Scotland to catch the next big musical before it goes stratospheric. Don't miss it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Burlesque the musical is at Glasgow Theatre Royal from Wed 11 to Sat 28 September 2024.
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📸 production photos: Johan Persson Photography
Burlesque the musical Cast and Creatives
Jackie Burns Tess
Jess Folley Ali
Todrick Hall Sean
George Maguire Vince
Michael Mather Jackson
Nina Ann Nelson Nikki
Also: Joe Atkinson, Callum Aylott, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Lucy Campbell, Cassidy Cannonier, Kitty Harris, Lewis Easter, Elly Jay, Billie-Kay, Stefan Lagoulis, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Callum MacDonald, Alessia McDermott, Tom Mussell, Ian Oswald, Amber Pierson, Jess Qualter, Tom Scanlon, Ope Sowande and Lily Wang.
Steven Antin Book Writer and Producer
Christina Aguilera Songwriter and Producer
Sia Songwriter
Diane Warren Songwriter
Nick Winston Director and Choreographer
Soutra Gilmour Set Designer
Ryan Dawson Laight Costume Designer
Tom Curran Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations
Jack Knowles Lighting Designer
Nina Dunn Video Designer
Ben Harrison Sound Designer
Burlesque the musical tickets
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🩷 Burlesque the musical is at Glasgow Theatre Royal NOW from Wed 11 to Sat 28 September 2024.
Glasgow Theatre Royal
11 - 28 September 2024 | atg.com/Glasgow
⚠️ Age guidance: 12+ | Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes inc. Interval
Burlesque will then play at the Opera House Manchester from Thur 3 October to Sat 2 November 2024 ahead of a transfer to London's West End.
What's on Glasgow Theatre
➡️ Coming soon to Glasgow King's Theatre: Come From Away, 101 Dalmatians, Bat Out of Hell, Dear Evan Hansen and Tina!
➡️ Coming soon to The Theatre Royal, Glasgow: Only fools and Horses the musical, Disney's Aladdin, SIX, War Horse and Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake!
Newly announced and on sale now at Edinburgh Playhouse
Burlesque the musical review, Glasgow, September 2024. Todrick Hall, Jess Folley, Jackie Burns, Christina Aguilera, Sia, Steven Antin.
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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