The musical adaptation of Christina Aguilera’s 2010 movie about an aspiring burlesque dancer has had a curious run of it. Written by the film’s writer-director Steve Antin, it played dates in Manchester and Glasgow last year where it was directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, with US singer and songwriter Todrick Hall in the cast and responsible for writing some additional songs to sit alongside numbers from Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren.
As it moves to the West End for what is only a limited season – highly unusual for a big new musical – Winston is out and Hall is in charge of direction and choreography. There’s no word on the casting at this stage, but the possibility is there for Hall to direct, choreograph, compose the songs and star, which feels like a potential first. It would seem reasonably plausible that Jess Folley will reprise the Aguilera role of young dancer Ali – not only was she Hall’s co-star, but she co-wrote the songs with him. Presumably all will be revealed in time.
