The glittering world of sequins and seduction is officially returning to London, as producers announce that Olivier Award-winning star Cassidy Janson will lead the West End production of Burlesque the Musical. Following a record-breaking, sold-out run at the Savoy Theatre, the high-voltage theatrical event will move to its new home at The Arts at Marble Arch this September.
Janson, celebrated for her roles in & Juliet and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, steps into the iconic role of Tess Richarde, the fierce club owner famously portrayed by Cher in the original Golden Globe-winning film. “I am beyond excited to be joining Burlesque - and in a brand-new West End theatre no less!” Janson said of the casting. “The songs are huge, the glamour is off the charts, and the costumes are absolutely INSANE. Honestly? The West End is not ready for this level of fabulous.”
The production is a star-studded affair both on and off stage, produced by a team including Christina Aguilera and original film creator Steven Antin. “As played by the legendary Cher, Tess became an iconic character,” Antin noted. “We are thrilled to have Cassidy lead the West End company in this pivotal role. She’s glamorous, funny, fierce, wildly talented—and she has the sass and heart that make Tess unforgettable.”
The musical follows Ali, a young woman searching for her mother, who finds herself swept into an underground world of ambition and desire. With a score featuring songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia, and Diane Warren, the show promises a "scintillating celebration of self-discovery and empowerment."
The London residency begins on September 12, 2026, with a Gala Press Night scheduled for September 23. For fans outside the capital, a second production will launch a major UK tour starting in Woking on July 25, traveling to cities including Glasgow, Manchester, and Liverpool through 2027. As the production reminds us: “Life isn’t Fair. It’s Fabulous.”
