Burlesque the Musical releases first look West End photos

Burlesque has released first look photos for its West End premiere at the Savoy Theatre, ahead of its official opening this evening.

Based on the 2010 musical drama film, directed by Steve Antin, the show revolves around a small-town girl named Ali Rose (played on screen by Christina Aguilera) who moves to Los Angeles and stumbles upon a struggling burlesque lounge owned by Tess.

Penned now for the stage by Antin, the theatrical version has tunes by Aguilera, and Sia, as well as additional tunes by Jess Folley and Todrick Hall and additional material by Kate Wetherhead. It was first seen in Manchester and Glasgow last year.

For its stint in the West End, Hall takes on directorial duties and also choreographs the musical. He also stars as Sean, alongside Folley as Ali, Tony Award nominee Orfeh (making her West End debut as Tess, the role famously played by Cher on screen), George Maguire as Vince, Paul Jacob French as Jackson and Asha Parker Wallace as Nikki.

They are joined by Michael Afemare (Ensemble), Callum Bell (Swing), Courtenay Brady (Ensemble), Paje Campbell (Ensemble), Sophie Cracknell (Daphne), Hope Dawe (Alternate Ali Rose), Jake Dupree (Trey/Chardonnay), Marlee Fergusson (Ensemble), Angus Good (Swing), Charlotte Jaconelli (Queenie), Elly Jay (Swing), Idriss Kargbo (Alternate Sean), Billie Kay (Sophia and Second Tess), Deja Linton (Ensemble), Hollie-Ann Lowe (Spring), Callum Macdonald (Cover for Vince and Trey), and Alessia McDermott (Summer and Second Nikki).

Completing the cast are Jess Qualter (Ensemble), Liam Roodhouse (Ensemble), Janine Somcio (Ensemble), India Thornton (Swing) and Daniel Wijingaarden (Ensemble).

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The full creative team includes Tom Curran (orchestrator and arranger), Nate Bertone (set designer), Marco Marco (costume designer), Roberto Surace (additional costume designs), Rory Beaton (lighting designer), Nina Dunn (video designer), Ben Harrison (sound designer), Jessica Plews (wigs and hair designer), Dominic Skinner (make-up designer), Toby Higgins (musical supervisor), Harry Blumenau (casting director), Patrick Malony (production manager), Aaron Renfree (associate director/resident director and choreographer), Jenni Thomasson (associate choreographer), Natalie Jackson (costume supervisor), Zoe Gale (associate wigs and hair supervisor), Nicola Crawford (associate lighting designer), Chris Poon (musical director), Caitlin Morgan (associate musical director), Josh Griffiths (assistant musical director), Andy Barnwell (orchestral manager) and David O’Mahoney (script supervisor).

The backsteage team comprises Maria Baker (company manager), Adam Cox (deputy company manager), Peter Barnett (stage manager), Samantha Kerrison (deputy stage manager), Leea Smith (assistant stage manager), Libby Glass (assistant stage manager) Bronte MacInnes (assistant stage manager) Declan Smith (assistant stage manager), Ben Turnbull (assistant stage manager), Hope Killen (assistant stage manager), Amelia Locky (head of wardrobe), Fiona Middlehurst (head of wigs, hair and makeup), Maxine Tiara (deputy of wigs, hair and makeup), Caitlin Ralph (wigs, hair and makeup assistant), Harrison Smith (head of lighting and video), Josh Ollerton (deputy head of lighting and video), Kieran Watson (head of automation), Tom Vasey (deputy head of automation), Callum Donaldson (head of sound), Isobel Macintosh (deputy head of sound) and Josh Roger (sound 3).

Burlesque the Musical runs at the Savoy Theatre until 6 September 2025, with tickets on sale below.