Todrick Hall on Burlesque saga: We should ‘not find joy in ripping apart our own art form’

Todrick Hall has spoken publicly about the online clamour around the West End production of Burlesque for the first time.

Hall directs and choreographs the production, which earned solid write-ups when it opened at the Savoy last week. He also performs in the role of Sean, while writing a selection of numbers that feature in the production. The show was surrounded in controversy during its rehearsal and preview period.

Screenshotting a comment section from the Facebook channel MusicalsDaily, Hall said: “Imagine waking up every day and reading these comments from strangers that have never met you, knowing your cast has seen and read them, then having to go onstage night after night, smile and try to perform under these circumstances.”

The WhatsOnStage review of the show praised Hall’s work, saying: “things really do come to life during Hall’s choreo-heavy moments.”

Hall continued, adding: “I’m a strong human, I’ve had to be, but every human has their breaking point. Keyboard Warriors, please be careful of the things you say about ppl on the internet. Reminder, we are not curing cancer here! We’re making a show for entertainment in a world that is already so divided. We as the theatre community should stand together and not find joy in ripping apart our own art form that is already struggling to keep shows open and art alive.”

If you want the full debrief on the show and its journey to the West End, you can check out our dedicated free podcast episode, embedded here:

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