Burlesque The Musical review: Fun and glamour reign supreme at the Savoy Theatre

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

If you haven’t seen it yet, Burlesque The Musical is a movie adaptation of the title film, featuring Christina Aguilera and Cher. This film quickly gained popularity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, and has since developed a cult following since its release in 2010.

In 2024, Burlesque The Musical made its debut, playing to full houses in Manchester and Glasgow. Since then, the West End version has been continuously refined, with adjustments made to the selection of songs and cast members.

Significantly, Todrick Hall assumed multiple roles in the West End production, including directing, choreographing, and portraying the characters of Sean and Ali’s choir director on stage.

If you find this reminiscent of a large amount, your perception is accurate. Occasionally, Burlesque The Musical seems similar to The Todrick Hall Show, yet when someone possesses such immense talent, it’s perfectly acceptable to feel that way.

Spite some bumpy instances during the early rehearsals, marked by hold-ups and wardrobe problems, it’s evident that this performance has polished its act. The term “sparkling” springs to mind, given the intricately crafted stage design, extravagant costumes, and catchy tunes.

In Burlesque The Musical, there are some truly outstanding songs that stand out. Fan favorites like “Express,” “Bound to You,” and “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” still hold their power, but the fresh tunes really make an impact, especially when paired with the impressive vocal skills of the cast.

Notable new tunes feature “Big,” an engaging reimagining of Burlesque history, the humorous “Don’t Make Me Sing,” and the heartfelt “Make-Up.” Although there are a few excess musical numbers, the power of the core songs is sufficient to keep the crowd cheering, chuckling, and amazed throughout.

In the performance of “Burlesque The Musical,” an exceptionally gifted ensemble takes the stage. Notably, Jess Foley, portraying Ali, shows herself as a more than capable heir to Xtina’s throne, displaying a broad vocal range and expertly handling challenging vocal acrobatics.

On Broadway, Orfeh convincingly portrays the hardened yet authentic character, Tess, while Todrick Hall brings an abundance of laughter to the production with his lively, humorous performances.

It’s worth noting that Jake Dupree, portraying Trey/Chardonnay, was equally captivating. Their enchanting burlesque character and remarkable agility really brought the stage to life.

It’s crucial to highlight the humor in this program, as it’s reminiscent of the popular West End show Titanique. For fans of modern internet culture, musical theater, and queer cultural references, Burlesque The Musical is an unmissable source of laughter.

While “Burlesque: The Musical” may not be without its imperfections – some numbers seem excess and character Vincent Gerber appears overly caricatured – the delight you’ll find in watching it far outweighs these minor flaws.

Burlesque is a lively, extravagant, and proudly LGBTQ+ entertainment experience; it’s a musical, dance-filled evening of enjoyment at the theater that you won’t want to miss.

When and where can I watch Burlesque?

Burlesque is currently running at the Savoy Theatre in Central London.

The show had its first preview on 10th July 2025 and will run until 6th September 2025.

How to get Burlesque tickets

Just pop on over to either SeatPlan or TodayTix to secure tickets for a date that suits you best. It seems there are still some available, but they’re moving fast.

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2025-07-23 15:36