Burlesque Is Back!
One of the most talked-about musical theatre productions of recent years is officially returning and this time, it’s coming back bigger than ever! Burlesque The Musical will open in the West End at the brand-new Arts at Marble Arch, while a second production embarks on a major UK tour, bringing the show to audiences across the country from summer 2026 through early 2027.
For Matinee, this news lands with particular excitement. When Burlesque played Manchester in 2024, we awarded it five stars, praising its confidence, spectacle and sheer sense of occasion. It was a show that knew exactly what it was and delivered it with style. It was bold, unapologetic and thrillingly theatrical and this return feels less like a revival and more like the next chapter.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=binE1PaSiHE[/embed]Based on the Golden Globe-nominated film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, Burlesque The Musical is written and directed by Steven Antin, who also penned the original screenplay. The stage version expands the film’s world into a full-blooded theatrical experience, combining high-energy choreography, powerhouse vocals and a story rooted in self-discovery and found family.
Ali arrives in New York searching for her mother, only to find herself pulled into a dazzling underground club where sequins shimmer, ambition burns brightly and lives can change overnight. As she finds her voice, she also finds an unlikely family — misfits, dreamers and schemers all trying to survive under the glow of the spotlight.
The score features songs by Christina Aguilera, alongside music from Sia, Diane Warren, Jess Folley and Todrick Hall, blending pop, soul and contemporary musical theatre into a sound that feels at home both on stage and on the radio.
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Cher and Christina Aguilera starred in the original film production. Another Matinee favourite![/caption]
Following a completely sold-out, critically acclaimed limited run at the Savoy Theatre, Burlesque The Musical will open in London again — this time settling in at Arts at Marble Arch, where it will run from September 2026 to January 2027.
Produced by Christina Aguilera, alongside Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Steven Antin, Clint Culpepper and In Fine Company, the West End production cements Burlesque as a major contemporary musical with staying power.
Cast and creative team details for both the West End and touring productions are set to be announced.
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Todrick Hall, Orfeh, Jess Folley, George Maguire, Paul Jacob French, Asha Parker-Wallace, in the 2025 London Production of Burlesque Pamela Raith Photography[/caption]
Alongside its London return, Burlesque The Musical will tour extensively across the UK, ensuring audiences nationwide get the chance to step inside the Burlesque lounge.
UK Tour Dates
Woking – New Victoria Theatre | 25 July – 1 August 2026
Sunderland – Empire Theatre | 6 – 15 August 2026
Stoke-on-Trent – Regent Theatre | 25 – 29 August 2026
Cardiff – Wales Millennium Centre | 1 – 5 September 2026
Glasgow – King’s Theatre | 8 – 19 September 2026
Bradford – Alhambra Theatre | 22 – 26 September 2026
Southend-on-Sea – Cliffs Pavilion | 29 September – 3 October 2026
Birmingham – Alexandra Theatre | 6 – 17 October 2026
Sheffield – Sheffield Theatres | 27 – 31 October 2026
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan | 3 – 7 November 2026
Aylesbury – Waterside Theatre | 17 – 21 November 2026
Liverpool – Liverpool Empire Theatre | 24 November – 6 December 2026
Leeds – Grand Theatre & Opera House | 8 – 12 December 2026
Blackpool – Winter Gardens Opera House | 22 December 2026 – 2 January 2027
Manchester – Opera House | 5 – 23 January 2027
Northampton – Royal & Derngate | 26 – 30 January 2027
Edinburgh – Edinburgh Playhouse | 16 – 27 February 2027
Llandudno – Venue Cymru | 16 – 20 March 2027
Wolverhampton – Grand Theatre | 6 – 10 April 2027
Hull – Hull New Theatre | 4 – 8 May 2027
Oxford – New Theatre | 4 – 8 May 2027
New Wimbledon Theatre – Outer London | 11 – 15 May 2027
Burlesque is big.Burlesque is beautiful.
Burlesque is back. And we’ll be watching closely.
