Review: BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL (UK Tour)

 

 ★★★★✩

The current touring production of Burlesque has created as many ripples off stage than on, due to a spate of cancelled performances and delayed starts.  So when the tour breezed into Stoke on the second date of its national trek, we were eager to see if the fuss was warranted.

Based on the 2010 movie starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, the movie itself is a performance extravaganza so its not such a leap imagining the movie as a fully fledged stage show.  For the uninitiated,  it centres around Ali, a young girl from Iowa who discovers the mother who abandoned her is living in Los Angeles.  After several successful attempts to contact her by letter, she heads to LA where she discovers her mother Tess, is running a Burlesque Lounge.  Captivated by the sights and sounds, she struggles to let Tess know of her family connection.  Tess is heavily in debt and her Burlesque show is on the point of collapse.  When Ali meets bartender Jack, he invites her to use his couch as Ali has nowhere to stay. Jack helps Ali gets a waitress job at the club, and it isn't long before Ali is demonstrating her mastery of song and dance.  When Nikki, the star performer in the show, turns up late and drunk, Ali steps into the fray and becomes a sensation.  But is it enough save save the club?

The story has been adapted and truncated from the movie, and in fact the book by Steven Antin seems to forego any character development in favour of big ballsy show numbers. The musical is packed with them.  So many songs that it chokes the life out of trying to keep a dramatic narrative going.

Lighting designer Joshie Harriette is instrumental in making this show a pop extravaganza, with a light show which surely drains the national grid.  Director Racky Plews manages to keep the narrative flowing against the odds.  It has to be said though, the musical numbers are glorious.  Energy pulsates from the performers on stage as they deliver big show number after big show number.

Ryan Carter acts as a sort of MC, and Tess's best friend and costume designer Sean.  Vocally he is in great form, although we never learn anything about how he has such a close bond to Tess.  Tess herself is played by Faye Brookes, who only looks about five years older than the daughter she gave up.  Lacking the world weariness of Cher's screen version, and replacing it with diva aggression,  Brookes herself is no slouch when it comes to the musical routines, she vamps, she simmers, she emotes. Although the awkward segue into one of the biggest numbers 'You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me' robs the song of the build up it deserves. Making her professional debut Gracie O'Brien has the X factor bringing a likeable quality to Ali, a big voice and star quality. Stepping into the shoes of Christina Aguilera is a tough call, but O'Brien pulls it off. Maybe a real star in the making. Tyler Davis manages the only three dimensional character in the piece, bartender Jack, who thankfully has better dialogue than most of the cast.  His naked seduction scene in his flat is hilarious. Davide Fienauri does his best as the villain of the piece, Tess' ex-husband Vince but its panto villain territory, again no exposition to speak of detailing the path of their relationship. The ensemble are just sensational,  delivering their routines with style, panache and breathtaking energy. On this alone the show is worth seeing.
 

Most of the movies musical pieces are included in this 34 song extravaganza,  the first act particularly needs work and a quarter of an hour chopping off its running time.  The six piece band are yet another reason why this show is worth seeing.  So many elements are stunning: voices, dance, lighting, set, costumes, band...  Its a pity the book just lets it down with second rate dialogue and a rush to get to the next musical number.  

We have given the show four stars, because there were so many elements that deserved it, but if we had to judge it on the book alone it would be three at best. Burlesque is without doubt a quality product, but like the Burlesque lounge of the story, it is struggling to reach its true potential. It has to be said though that there was standing ovation for the performers at the end, which only seems fitting given their incredible commitment to the show. 

Rob & Ian

Further information on the UK tour can be found at BURLESQUE OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

Further listening:

As there is no theatre cast album, go and get your ears around the 2010 movie soundtrack.  Aguilera and Cher - what's not to love?