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Maybe you remember the 2010 film Burlesque, which starred Christina Aguilera as a dancer who gets her big break at Cher’s struggling LA burlesque lounge. Maybe you don’t (the film was a modest success at best, mostly in the US).
But one person who clearly hasn’t forgotten it is Aguilera herself, who has teamed up with the film’s write Steve Antin and fellow big name songstress Sia for a full blown musical adaptation of Burlesque that had tryouts in Manchester and Glasgow last year and is now set on a limited West End run this summer, replacing Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre.
They’ve reworked the songs they wrote for the movie specially for this musical, which Aguilera is also a producer of.
Quoth the Dirrty singer: ‘I’m proud that Burlesque the Musical is coming to London’s West End! Our journey of making this film to bringing this show to the stage has been so special and exciting. Following our successful previews, having the show land in the West End later this year is a dream come true!’.
New songs have also been written, by US singer Toderick Hall and Brit Jess Folley, both of whom played roles when the show played in Manchester and Glasgow last year; although casting is yet to be announced it certainly wouldn’t be particularly wild if they re-emerged in the London cast seeing as how they’re making money off it anyway. The show is written and produced by Steven Antin (who wrote and directed the film), with additional material by Kate Wetherhead. Curiously none of the current publicity material makes any mention of Nick Winston who was the credited director/choreographer for the previous run but isn’t currently mentioned for this one – when I asked the publicist simply said both creatives and casting were to be confirmed.
Somewhat unusually for a new West End musical it’s playing a limited season only, though that doesn’t rule out a transfer or return at a later date.
Burlesque the Musical runs at the Savoy Theatre Jul 11-Sep 6. You can sign up for more info at priority booking here.