Review: BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL, Theatre Royal Glasgow

Following a successful sold-out run in Manchester in summer 2024, Burlesque makes its Scottish debut with this world premiere of a brand-new musical. Based on the 2010 film starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, Burlesque follows Ali Rose (Jess Folley) as she moves from a small town to New York, searching for her birth mother.

Tess (Jackie Burns) is the owner of a historic burlesque club that has fallen on some hard times financially. Her ex-husband Vince (George Maguire) wants to sell it and claw back some of his investment but the club means everything to Tess. Working with her best friend Sean (Todrick Hall) she needs to find a way to turn things around and make it profitable again. Cue Ali, a young woman with a big voice who steps in when the other live vocalist is unable to perform. 

Much of the story has been rewritten since the film. The action moves from LA to New York, the relationship between Tess and Ali has changed and there's no mention of air rights. New songs have been added courtesy of Christina Aguilera and Sia and tracks like "Ammo" and "Got It All From You" sit nicely alongside "Express" and "Show Me How You Burlesque". 

The staging is incredibly impressive. Soutra Gilmour's set design is jaw-dropping as the stage revolves and takes us from the club to Jackson's apartment and the backstage dressing rooms. Nina Dunn's video design is stunning and gives everything a fresh and modern feel. I don't believe that regional theatre should ever be seen as lesser to the West End and Burlesque is a show that gives us absolutely everything you would expect to see on a big London stage.

Jess Folley is perfect as Ali Rose. Her transformation from sweet naive small-town girl to big burlesque star is fantastic and her voice is incredible. Jackie Burns is probably the only person who could really rival Cher for stage presence in this role and her "You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me" is undoubtedly a highlight of the show. 

Burlesque is a musical that really does have it all. It's a big spectacle but this story still has huge heart behind it. The show has been perfectly cast and the vocals are phenomenal. Having a musical like this choose to run in Glasgow so early in its conception feels incredibly special and you would be a fool to miss it!

Photo credit: Johan Persson 

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