Based on the 2010 film of the same name starring Cher and Christina Aguilera - and following a West End run in 2025 - the stage musical version of Burlesque is currently on an extensive UK tour and stopping off at The Alexandra this week.

Presented alongside new tracks by Todrick Hall and Jess Folley, the show features songs by Sia, Diane Warren and Christina Aguilera, the latter of whom is also executive producer.

For those not in the know, the musical follows small-town girl Ali Rose, who travels to New York in search of her mother. Along the way she finds friends, she finds love, and she finds a home dancing and singing at a struggling burlesque lounge, achieving success beyond her wildest dreams whilst also saving the club from financial ruin.

The storyline isn’t complex, and you don’t need to be familiar with the film to enjoy this extravaganza of a show. Expect to be blown away by the sensational lead vocals, particularly from Gracie O’Brien as Ali, Faye Brookes as Tess, and Ryan Carter as Sean. All three have a huge stage presence and consistently deliver massively demanding vocal performances, all of which are made even more enjoyable by accompaniment from live musicians.

The choreography is simply breathtaking. One of the show’s many highlights is watching the ensemble perform routines with incredible precision. The dancers don’t simply support the principal performers, they are an essential part of what makes this show such a thrilling experience. Their confidence and immense energy make even the most technically demanding routines look effortless. The whole cast are marvellous, maintaining a remarkable level of intensity throughout the entire performance.

This is a massive production replete with full-on glitz and glamour. Its seductive and sensual appeal is greatly enhanced by the provocative and attention-grabbing costumes. The corsets and sequins - exaggerating hour-glass silhouettes - are beautifully designed to catch the stage lighting and stir the imagination.

If you enjoy exhilarating, high-energy productions filled with powerhouse vocals, dazzling choreography, and spectacular stage craft - including clever lighting and technical elements - then this is a show well worth an evening of your time. There was certainly a rapturous response from the audience last night, many of whom I suspect, just like me, travelled home singing a selection of songs from the pop-driven soundtrack.

Five stars

Burlesque The Musical was reviewed by Sue Hull on Tuesday 6 October at The Alexandra, Birmingham, where it shows until Saturday. It returns to the Midlands next year at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 April.