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The producers of Burlesque the Musical have postponed the show’s planned West End season until 2027 and pushed back the launch of its first major UK tour, amid reports of undelivered sets and behind-the-scenes disruption.
The touring production had been scheduled to open at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking on 25 July but will now begin at Sunderland Empire on 6 August, with performances running until 22 August. The Woking engagement has been rescheduled for 3 to 7 November 2026.
A separate London run at the 550-seat Arts venue at Marble Arch, which had been set to begin previews on 12 September 2026 and continue until 31 January 2027, will no longer proceed at that location. Ticket holders will receive full refunds, and a new West End theatre and revised dates are expected to be confirmed for 2027.
The production team attributed the delay to the need for additional time to complete final technical preparations ahead of the 24-venue tour.
Reports Of Sets Not Arriving
The schedule changes followed reports that the production’s physical sets had not been delivered to the Woking venue ahead of the planned opening.
“Everyone’s still very much in the dark, including the crew and venue staff,” a source told Variety. “No trailers have arrived with set, so no fit up has happened in the first venue. Some venue casuals have had shifts cancelled as a result (with payment). Director and cast are rehearsing on an empty stage.”
Social media posts from theatre commentator Carl Woodward alleged that the show’s Production Manager had left the production and that freelancers had yet to be paid. The ticketing page for the Woking stop had been marked as “closed” before any formal confirmation of the change.
The touring branch of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU) also published an Instagram story asking any members involved in the production to get in touch.
Producers Insist On Postponement, Not Cancellation
The production’s team has moved to reassure audiences and industry stakeholders that the revised timeline does not signal a collapse.
“This is absolutely a postponement, not a cancellation,” producers stated. “We are already exploring opportunities for a major London return in 2027 and look forward to announcing our future West End home in due course.”
They described the decision as “a strategic decision designed to ensure the production returns to London exactly as we want it to” and confirmed the change was intended to allow time for the concert-style staging, sound design and production values planned for the show.
The producers also confirmed the UK tour is “fully financed and on a secure footing, as verified by third parties, allowing the company to focus entirely on delivering the production for audiences nationwide.”
Tour To Visit 24 UK Venues
The revised tour schedule will see the production visit 24 venues across England, Scotland and Wales before concluding at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre in May 2027. Stops include Cardiff, Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Blackpool, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Audience members holding tickets for the original Woking performances will be contacted by their point of sale with information about exchanges or refunds.
London Production Pushed To 2027
The London production had been set to feature Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson, known for her roles in & Juliet and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in the role of Tess.
Ticket holders for the Marble Arch run received emails confirming the engagement would no longer proceed as planned. A new West End venue and dates for 2027 are expected in due course, with the producers indicating they will no longer stage the show at The Arts at Marble Arch.
Producers described their relationship with the venue as important, adding that they had backed the vision for the theatre.
“We backed the vision for The Arts Theatre at Marble Arch because we believed London deserved another commercial theatre, and we remain proud to have played a part in helping bring it to life,” they added.
A European tour had also been in planning for the following year.
Cast And Creative Team
Faye Brookes leads the touring cast as Burlesque Lounge owner Tess Richarde, the character played by Cher in the original film. Gracie O’Brien appears as Ali Rose, with Ryan Carter as Sean and Ms Loretta, Davide Fienauri as Vince, Tyler Davis as Jackson and Vanessa Ela Young as Nikki.
The stage musical reworks the story of Steven Antin’s 2010 film, which starred Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci and Kristen Bell. In the theatrical adaptation, Ali travels to New York in search of her mother and becomes drawn into the music, ambition and personal relationships of an underground burlesque club.
The score features songs by Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Jess Folley, Todrick Hall and Antin. Racky Plews directs the touring production, with choreography by Robin Antin and Aaron Renfree. Xena Gusthart serves as Associate Choreographer.
Christina Aguilera is among the musical’s Producers, alongside Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Steven Antin, Clint Culpepper and In Fine Company. Toby Brewer is the Associate Producer. Antin also serves as Writer and Creative Director.
A Turbulent Production History
The delays represent the latest chapter in a disrupted run for the production. Burlesque the Musical opened in Manchester in 2024 before playing a season in Glasgow and making its West End debut at the Savoy Theatre in 2025.
That West End run drew scrutiny from the actors’ union Equity, which confirmed that a number of issues had been raised over the production. The show also underwent changes to its creative team, including the departure of Todrick Hall, who had served as Director, Choreographer and cast member.
The producers maintain they are committed to bringing the production back to London in 2027, with details of its new theatrical home to follow.
For tickets and the current tour itinerary, visit BurlesqueOnStage.com.
