Christina Aguilera, Orfeh and Jess Folley – watch the full West End opening highlights of Burlesque the Musical

Last night, WhatsOnStage was invited to the official opening of Burlesque the Musical, attended by the show’s executive producer Christina Aguilera.

Aguilera, who also co-composed the score and starred in the original 2010 movie, arrived in style, stepping out of a Rolls-Royce onto the pink carpet at the Savoy Theatre. In addition, we sat down with leading ladies Jess Folley and Tony Award nominee Orfeh, who play the roles of Ali Rose and Tess (portrayed on screen by Aguilera and Cher, respectively), to get their thoughts on their West End debuts and the production’s journey so far.

Watch the full opening night highlights below:

Burlesque the Musical, written by Steven Antin (who also penned and directed the 2010 movie), revolves around a small-town girl named Ali Rose, who moves to New York City, where a struggling burlesque lounge awaits her.

Adapted now for the stage by Antin, the theatrical version has tunes by Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, as well as additional tunes by 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 took on directorial duties and also choreographed the musical. He also stars as Sean. Also featured in the London cast are 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 company are Jess Qualter (Ensemble), Liam Roodhouse (Ensemble), Janine Somcio (Ensemble), India Thornton (Swing) and Daniel Wijingaarden (Ensemble).

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.