Burlesque The Musical, Manchester Opera House Review

Review by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic.

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A stage adaptation of Steven Antin’s crowd-pleasing 2010 musical sensation, which starred Christina Aguilera and Cher, created a huge buzz when it was announced at the tail end of last year! With the initial run at the Manchester Opera House complete and plans for a West End premiere in the future, does this show hit the spot and offer audiences a bold adaptation that will wow them? In short, yes, but there are definitely some areas where this show can be improved.

Burlesque The Musical follows the same journey as the film, but with several plot changes that add a different energy to the story. Played by the incredibly talented X Factor star Jess Folley, Ali is a small-town girl from Iowa who receives the bombshell news that she is to seek out her real mother, Theresa Richardson, at an address in New York. She discovers that the address belongs to a raunchy burlesque club owned by her long-lost mom, and her voice will save the future of the business.

Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, there is much to admire in this production’s premiere. Every ounce of energy oozes from the stage from the very beginning, with the film’s iconic "Welcome to Burlesque" offering a brilliant introduction to what this show has to offer. Winston ensures that the burlesque art form is at the heart of the production’s style and it’s great to see that on a stage. Soutra Gilmour’s set design has real class with a metal structure filled with ladders and different levels that ensures that it is utilised to its extremities and doesn’t feel clunky. Alongside Nina Dunn’s stunning video design which emphasises the storytelling and is aesthetically extremely pleasing on the eye.

Jess Folley is unbelievably talented and naturally this musical allows her to shine. She has some spirit of Christina in how she portrays Ali, but there’s also a huge ounce of her own personality that comes through as well. There’s so many moments in this show where she steals the show, most notably “Tough Lover” at the end of Act One. Alongside seasoned Broadway legend Jackie Burns as Tess collectively they are a tour-de-force. Burns brings some warmth to the role thanks to the introduction of the new mother-daughter storyline.

Todrick Hall stars as an “emcee” type of role so typically spends a lot of time on stage. Whilst there is no doubt that the audience lapped his character up and he is talented, it felt as though it was more Todrick Hall the Musical than it was Burlesque The Musical. Most notably the songs he has written for the show are easily identified as part of his “brand”, therefore it didn't hit for me at all unfortunately. 

George Maguire delivered a brilliant performance as Vince, effectively embodying the villainous role in this story. His dynamic with Nina Ann Nelson’s character, Nikki, is particularly compelling. Ali’s love interest, Jackson (played by Michael Mather), adds a sweet, cutesy element to the love story, even though the show maintains a touch of raunchiness that you’d expect from this style of show.

Some of the hardest working performers on that stage are the ensemble though and I couldn’t keep my eyes off them throughout the entire show and they definitely made an impact. Their presence has so much energy and skill, enhancing what the film had a hell of a lot more!

Burlesque The Musical has the potential to be a smash-hit by the time it hits the West End stage and it will certainly divide audiences. It’s a gorgeous fusion between a musical and a gig that with the right amount of fine-tuning it may become a fully fledged 5-star production!

At Glasgow Theatre Royal 11-28 September before Manchester Opera House 3 October - 2 November. 
★ ★ ★ ★