Burlesque musical cast announced for Manchester premiere

Lead casting has been announced for the premiere stage adaptation of 2010 movie Burlesque.

Burlesque: The Musical will open at the Manchester Opera House from 13 June with tickets on sale now.

Meet the cast

Jess Folley, a winner of The Voice Kids UK and The X Factor The Band, will take on the lead role of Ali. She will be joined by George Maguire as Vince, Billie-Kay as Sophia, B Terry as Georgie, Jess Qualter as Daphne, Yasmin Harrison as Brenda (and dance captain), Lily Wang as Fifi, Hollie-Ann Lowe as Summer.

They’ll be joined by Todrick Hall as Sean, Michael Mather as Jackson and Ope Sowande as Trey.

Alessia McDermott and Lewis Easter join in the ensemble with Callum Aylott, Lucy Campbell and Amber Pierson as swings

The new stage show is written by the film’s director and screenwriter, Steven Antin, with additional material by Kate Wetherhead. It will include songs originally written for the movie by Christina Aguilera, Diane Warren and Sia, together with new songs by Todrick Hall, as well as Foley.

Folley said: “A year ago, I was lucky enough to have the chance to compose a song for the show and fortunately for me, Steven loved it! We had a couple of calls to get to know each other, and the next thing I know he had asked me to play Ali in the workshops and then the show itself.

“Since then, I’ve written a number of other songs, become part of the creative team and have totally fallen in love with this project. I’m beyond excited to be in the Burlesque family and can’t wait to open as Ali Rose in Manchester in June.”

Nick Winston will direct and choreograph the world premiere production, with further details to be announced.

When Ali heads to the bright lights of New York in search of her long-lost mother, she finds herself drawn into a dazzling underground world where the beat of the music and the heat of the dance moves will change her life forever. Among this unlikely family of misfits, dreamers and schemers, Ali will unwittingly find her real voice, discover her talent, and find where she really, truly belongs.

Burlesque: The Musical is produced by Adam Paulden, Sue Gilad & Larry Rogowsky, Steven Antin and Christina Aguilera and general managed by ADAMA Entertainment.

For more information, visit www.burlesquethemusical.com