Attending a theatrical performance is a unique and immersive experience, one that combines storytelling, visual art, and live action to captivate audiences.
Burlesque at the Manchester Opera House
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Every so often, a show comes along that isn’t just fantastic but so electrifying it sets the entire venue alight. The gala night of Burlesque at the Manchester Opera House was one such once-in-a-decade experience. Burlesque in the 2020s will be what Hamilton was in the 2010s and Wicked was in the 2000s. As a theatre enthusiast who can count on one hand the shows I didn’t love, Burlesque feels like it’s in a different league, and here’s why…
About Burlesque
Burlesque is a new production written by Steven Antin, based on the 2010 film, with additional material by Kate Wetherhead, and directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. The musical features songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia, and Diane Warren, along with additional numbers by cast stars Jess Folley and Todrick Hall.
The Story of Burlesque
The plot follows Ali (Jess Folley), a small-town girl who moves to New York in search of her estranged birth mother. She finds herself at The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but struggling theatre that hosts burlesque performances. Tess (Jackie Burns), the club’s owner and headliner, is battling to keep the club afloat with the help of her long-term friend Sean (Todrick Hall).
Ali meets Jackson (Michael Mather) and lands a job as a cocktail waitress. She soon impresses Tess and the club’s staff with her incredible singing talent. With her powerful voice and natural stage presence, Ali becomes the star attraction, helping to revitalise the club and attract a new wave of visitors, much to the displeasure of club starlet Nikki (Nina Ann Nelson). As Ali attempts to navigate her new life, she struggles with revealing her true identity to friends, loved ones, and her birth mother. How will they handle this life-changing news?
Everything About The Production Is Electric
Burlesque explodes onto the stage and into the audience’s hearts as soon as the curtain rises. The first track feels like a finale, and it only builds from there, becoming more explosive by the minute. Before you know it, it’s the interval, but you’re not ready. You want more.
The entire cast is phenomenal, with a star-studded, incredibly talented team of principals who shine brightly, yet none outshine the others. Each brings a different explosive element, creating the perfect storm, supported by a stunningly talented ensemble. You leave feeling like you never want it to end; the audience went wild, and the excitement was palpable throughout.
It’s the best set I have seen in a long time. It all feels so new and current, with moving backdrops and foregrounds, making it hard to decide whether to watch the cast or the surrounding spectacle.
Where Can You See Burlesque
If you love theatre, you must go; I felt like I was watching history unfold right there.
You Can See Burlesque At The Opera House in Manchester, but be quick, it’s selling out.
- Thu 3 Oct – Sat 2 Nov 2024
Please note I was gifted the tickets in turn for a review, opinions are all my own.
