The glitz, glamour and show-stopping vocals of Burlesque are returning to London. Women’s Euro 2025 brought football drama to Switzerland. Burlesque The Musical brings sequin-drenched spectacle to the West End. Based on the 2010 film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, the stage adaptation became summer 2025’s biggest hit at the Savoy Theatre [citation:2][citation:3]. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy delivered romantic comedy drama. Burlesque delivers pop music spectacle instead. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 West End return and nationwide tour.
What is Burlesque The Musical?
Burlesque The Musical is a stage adaptation of the 2010 film that starred Christina Aguilera and Cher [citation:3]. The story follows Ali Rose, a small-town girl with a big voice who arrives in Los Angeles with nothing. She stumbles into the Burlesque Lounge, a dive-bar music venue run by Tess, an aging diva on the brink of losing the club. Ali talks her way into a job, discovers her extraordinary talent, and finds an unlikely family of misfits, dreamers and schemers [citation:3][citation:4].
The musical features powerhouse songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, alongside thrilling new numbers from Todrick Hall and Jess Folley [citation:3]. Christina Aguilera serves as executive producer, while Steven Antin—writer and director of the original film—has adapted his own book for the stage [citation:3][citation:7].
West End Return: Arts at Marble Arch
Following a sold-out limited season at the Savoy Theatre, Burlesque The Musical will return to London at the brand-new 550-seat Arts at Marble Arch [citation:1][citation:3]. The venue is located at 9 Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7AL [citation:3].
Previews begin on Saturday 12 September 2026 and performances are currently booking until Sunday 31 January 2027 [citation:1][citation:7]. Opening night will be 23 September 2026 [citation:10].
Burlesque The Musical Cast 2026
Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson will star as Tess, the role originally played by Cher in the film [citation:1][citation:10]. Janson is known for her performances in & Juliet, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and her Olivier-winning turn in the 2018 revival of Company [citation:10]
Other confirmed cast members include:
- Jess Folley as Ali Rose – Winner of Eurovision: You Decide 2018 [citation:3]
- Todrick Hall as Sean – American Horror Story and Broadway’s Chicago star, also a judge on Drag Race [citation:3]
- Orfeh as Tess – Broadway veteran from Legally Blonde [citation:3]
- George Maguire as Vince – Olivier Award winner for Sunny Afternoon [citation:3]
- Asha Parker-Wallace as Nikki
- Charlotte Jaconelli as Queenie
- Jake Dupree as Trey/Chardonnay
- Sophie Cracknell as Daphne [citation:3]
Important note for first-time bookers: Christina Aguilera does not perform in this production. Cher does not perform in this production. The show is produced by Aguilera and uses her songs; the actual cast is a stage ensemble [citation:3].
UK Tour Dates 2026-2027
A second production will launch a major UK tour, opening at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking [citation:1]. The tour will visit 23 venues across the UK between 25 July 2026 and 15 May 2027 [citation:2][citation:5].
Full Tour Schedule
- Woking – New Victoria Theatre: 25 July – 1 August 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Sunderland – Empire Theatre: 6 – 22 August 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Stoke-on-Trent – Regent Theatre: 25 – 29 August 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Cardiff – Wales Millennium Centre: 1 – 5 September 2026 [citation:5]
- Glasgow – King’s Theatre: 8 – 20 September 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Bradford – Alhambra Theatre: 22 – 26 September 2026 [citation:5][citation:9]
- Southend-on-Sea – Cliffs Pavilion: 29 September – 4 October 2026 [citation:5]
- Birmingham – Alexandra Theatre: 6 – 17 October 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Sheffield – Sheffield Theatres: 27 – 31 October 2026 [citation:5]
- High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan: 3 – 7 November 2026 [citation:5]
- Aylesbury – Waterside Theatre: 17 – 21 November 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Liverpool – Liverpool Empire: 24 November – 5 December 2026 [citation:2][citation:5]
- Leeds – Grand Theatre: 8 – 12 December 2026 [citation:4][citation:5]
- Blackpool – Winter Gardens: 22 December – 2 January 2027 [citation:5]
- Manchester – Opera House: 5 – 23 January 2027 [citation:5]
- Northampton – Royal & Derngate: 26 – 30 January 2027 [citation:5]
- Wolverhampton – Grand Theatre: 26 – 30 January 2027 [citation:5]
- Edinburgh – Playhouse Theatre: 16 – 27 February 2027 [citation:5]
- Llandudno – Venue Cymru: 16 – 20 March 2027 [citation:5]
- York – Grand Opera House: 23 March – 3 April 2027 [citation:5]
- Hull – Hull New Theatre: 20 – 24 April 2027 [citation:5]
- Oxford – New Theatre: 4 – 8 May 2027 [citation:5]
- Outer London – New Wimbledon Theatre: 11 – 15 May 2027 [citation:5]
What the Critics Say
The production has received mixed reviews from critics but strong audience approval. The 2025 Savoy run accumulated a strong audience following with TripAdvisor reviews averaging around 4.4/5 stars [citation:3].
What They Liked
- “Jess Folley’s voice” – consistently flagged as the show’s strongest single element [citation:3]
- “The costumes” – described as “a feast of sequins, spotlights and sultry striptease” [citation:3]
- “Biggest show I’ve seen” – audience members praised the scale and spectacle [citation:3]
What They Disliked
- “Felt long” – running time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including interval [citation:3]
- “Plot was paper-thin” – critics noted the story takes a back seat to spectacle [citation:3]
- Time Out gave the show two stars, calling it a “punishing three-hour adaptation” [citation:3]
Critic Ratings Summary
- London Theatre: 4 stars [citation:3]
- Time Out: 2 stars [citation:3]
- BroadwayWorld: 3 stars [citation:3]
- WhatsOnStage: 3.5 stars [citation:3]
- The Reviews Hub: described the show as “a feast” [citation:3]
Ticket Prices and Booking
London tickets are priced from approximately £30 to £150 [citation:3]. The £30 entry tier is concentrated in the side stalls and rear circle. Premium seats include the Vince’s Lounge VIP package, offering pre-show drinks, premium centre stalls, a programme and a post-show meet-and-greet [citation:3].
Where to book: Always start with the official website at burlesqueonstage.com [citation:3]. Authorised aggregators include TodayTix, London Theatre Direct and ATG Tickets [citation:2][citation:3].
Important Information for Theatregoers
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including a 20-minute interval [citation:3].
Age Recommendation: 14+. The show contains sexually-suggestive content, mild nudity and strong language [citation:3].
Latecomers: Will be admitted during a suitable gap in the show [citation:7].
Accessibility: The Arts at Marble Arch is a brand-new venue with full accessibility features.
The Creative Team
Executive Producer: Christina Aguilera [citation:1][citation:3]
Writer and Director: Steven Antin (original film writer/director) [citation:1][citation:3]
Music and Lyrics: Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall, Jess Folley [citation:1][citation:3]
Choreography: Nick Winston (Mary Poppins, Heathers) [citation:3]
Costume Design: Tom Rogers [citation:3]
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell [citation:3]
Sound Design: Adam Fisher [citation:3]
Don’t Confuse with Other Burlesque Productions
This is the official stage adaptation of the 2010 film. There are other burlesque-themed shows touring, including “Blues and Burlesque” which premiered at Fringe World in Australia in early 2026 [citation:8]. Make sure you are booking the correct production.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Burlesque The Musical open in London? Previews begin on 12 September 2026 at the Arts at Marble Arch. Opening night is 23 September 2026 [citation:1][citation:10].
How long is Burlesque The Musical? The running time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute interval [citation:3].
Who plays Tess in Burlesque The Musical? Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson plays Tess, the role originally played by Cher in the film [citation:1][citation:10].
Is Christina Aguilera in the stage musical? No. Christina Aguilera is an executive producer but does not perform in the production [citation:3].
Is the musical suitable for children? The show is recommended for ages 14+ due to sexually-suggestive content, mild nudity and strong language [citation:3].
Where can I buy tickets? Tickets are available from the official website burlesqueonstage.com, TodayTix, London Theatre Direct and ATG Tickets [citation:2][citation:3].
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