Christina Aguilera surprises West End with visit to BURLESQUE: THE MUSICAL preview

Pop royalty Christina Aguilera brought a burst of Hollywood glamour to London’s West End yesterday, paying an unannounced visit to the first public preview of BURLESQUE: THE MUSICAL at the Savoy Theatre.

The Grammy-winning star, who headlined the original 2010 screen hit BURLESQUE alongside Cher, slipped backstage to greet the company and share words of encouragement before curtain up. Posting a behind-the-scenes video to Instagram, Aguilera captioned the clip “my burlesque babies” and later awarded the production a glowing five star verdict, telling her 25 million followers she was “blown away” by the show.

The stage adaptation features a new book by film creator Steven Antin, who commented beneath the post, “Christina, thank you for making BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL happen, the best producing partner ever.” Director and choreographer Todrick Hall echoed the excitement, writing, “Twas an honour to have you there. You are a dream.” Hall was later photographed with UK television favourite Alison Hammond, another high-profile guest at the preview.

BURLESQUE: THE MUSICAL spins a fresh theatrical take on the cult film, celebrated for its powerhouse vocals, flashy dance routines and viral dance craze the Wagon Wheel Watusi. The West End score blends brand-new numbers with fan favourites by Aguilera and Sia, while rising star Jess Folley steps into Aguilera’s on-stage shoes as Ali, the small-town singer who finds freedom and fame in a glittering Los Angeles nightclub.

Early social media buzz points to lavish costumes, high-octane choreography and powerhouse vocals that match the movie’s show-stopping spirit. Industry watchers are already tipping the show as a summer smash, buoyed by Aguilera’s seal of approval and the film’s enduring fan base.

BURLESQUE: THE MUSICAL opens officially tonight and is scheduled to play a strictly limited season at the Savoy Theatre until 6 September 2025. With word of mouth spreading fast and the original film’s leading lady lending her star power, producers are bracing for a rush at the box office. Theatre-goers keen to relive the razzle-dazzle of Show Me How You Burlesque live on stage may need to secure seats quickly before the glitter settles.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com