Latest news with #SteveAntin
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Christina Aguilera's raunchy Burlesque musical is a cult hit in the making
Well, this is a surprise. After weeks of rumoured chaos, including alleged rows over nepotism, working conditions and creative decisions – including cast members forced to buy their costumes from Primark and various creatives either fired or replaced and forced to sign NDAs – this knowingly daft riff on the 2010 Christina Aguilera and Cher movie emerges as a strange sort of triumph. Written by the film's original director and writer Steve Antin – although with a largely new score by Todrick Hall, who has replaced Nick Winston as director for its West End debut following a try out run in Manchester last year – it is so cheerfully itself, so zestily camp and so sharply performed it somehow snatches victory from the jaws of defeat. It also features an absolute knockout performance from newcomer Jess Folley in the Aguilera role of Ali – the church-going girl from Iowa, who against the odds turns around a struggling Burlesque club in the city. Granted, Antin fumbles his own plot, although mercifully Hall has responded to reports of audiences staggering out of four-hour previews by cutting the running time to two hours, 45 minutes. Half the story has been jettisoned and new bits added with precious little care for plausibility. Tess, the owner of a New York burlesque club (played by Cher in the film), is now Ali's unknown birth mother. This means that Ali is grief-stricken over the death of her adoptive mother, discovers she has another and joyfully sets off to the big smoke from rural Iowa to find her – all within the space of about two minutes. Having seemingly been raised on a diet of corn and church gospel, she is also, bizarrely, an innate burlesque expert, launching into comic send-ups of the other dancers' contemptuous perceptions of her as a rural naif in ways that wittily defy the traditional character arc of an ingénue heroine who learns to discover her true self. Hall embodies the show's meta-lite theatricality by turning the fact he plays both Tess's queeny right-hand man Sean, and Ali's vodka-swilling gospel teacher Miss Loretta into a running gag. He makes a virtue out of the show's scrappy DNA and madcap, extemporaneous air (there's a good line about Coldplay kiss cams). Yes, an awful lot of songs in the first act are filler. Yes, we are expected more than once to invest in a roof-scorching power ballad delivered by a character we have only just met. And sometimes it's hard to know if the show is being wink-wink referential or simply derivative – be it in the echoes of Hamilton and Sweet Charity in the relentless genre-hopping score, or the odd visual nod to A Chorus Line and Cabaret. Yet the buzz is infectious. Folley is formidable as Ali, easily Aguilera's equal as a singer and managing the transition from supposed comic klutz to burlesque vamp with ease. The first act is a victim of its own storyline, parading a succession of standard burlesque routines: the very reason why the club is floundering. But Act Two, with the help of Aguilera's original stand-out song Show Me How You Burlesque, ramps up the raunch. George Maguire brings relish to the English upper-class comedy villain Vince. There's lovely work from Paul Jacob French as Ali's lazily charming love interest Jackson, and Asha Parker-Wallace finds prima donna Nikki's sharp angles and soft core. The dancing is pin-sharp, even if the ensemble spend a lot of time showing us their G-string adorned buttocks. There's an irony to a show that spends a lot of time telling us what burlesque is while sacrificing specificity in its determination to generate general cheesy giddy delirium, but who cares? It's a cult hit in the making.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Christina Aguilera, 44, flashes her underwear beneath a daring black string dress as she leads stars at the Burlesque: The Musical world premiere in London
Christina Aguilera was a vision as she attended the world premiere of Burlesque: The Musical at The Savoy Theatre in London on Tuesday. The Genie In A Bottle hitmaker, 44, left little to the imagination as she showcased her underwear beneath a daring black string mini dress. She teamed the striking look with black stockings and elevated her slimmed-down frame with a pair of sleek black heels. The pop legend completed her head-turning ensemble with silver jewellery and a bold plum lipstick. Christina posed up a storm on the red carpet before joining producer Steve Antin. The pair appeared in high spirits as they smiled for photos, with Steve planting a sweet kiss on Christina's cheek. The Genie In A Bottle hitmaker, 44, left little to the imagination as she showcased her underwear beneath a daring black rope mini dress Also at the starry event was Michael Marouli, Georgina Castle, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Matt Goss, Jess Folley, and Nick Collier. Following a sold-out run in Manchester, Burlesque The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre for a strictly limited season until 6 September 2025. Christina swapped the spotlight for a seat in the stalls on Sunday 20 July, when she slipped into London's Savoy Theatre to watch a preview of Burlesque The Musical. The musical reimagines the 2010 screen hit that first turned her into an on-screen star. Christina previously displayed her thin appearance and sparked concern among fans who discussed rumours she might have undergone plastic surgery on her face to achieve her transformed appearance. Her frame has also sparked rumours among fans who wondered if she may have turned to Ozempic-like drugs to help her impressive weight loss. Despite the speculation among fans that she may have altered her appearance in some way, the Grammy-winning singer–songwriter has not addressed any of the rumours. She was previously rumoured to have had a breast augmentation after displaying a scar under her arm — which is a common place for the surgical incision — in 2010. Recently, Christina showed off her age-defying looks on the cover of the French magazine Carcy, which set rumours bubbling from fans who wondered if she had touched up her face. In October of last year, multiple plastic surgeons who had not treated the songstress spoke to about her seemingly transformed appearance, suggesting that she may have undergone a face lift to sculpt her cheekbones and smooth the natural lines between her nose and lips. Other cosmetic surgeons have shared similar opinions about her new appearance on social media. Although Christina has not directly responded to the claims, she recently said she no longer feels the need to 'give a f***' about the public scrutiny on her body. Following the speculation, she has since commented on the years-long 'obsession' over her weight in an interview with Glamour from August. 'When you're a teenager, you have a very different body than when you're in your 20s,' she said. 'I started to fill out, and then that was unacceptable because it was like, "Oh, she's getting thicker." Then I had industry people: "They liked your body and how you were as a skinny teenager."' However, as she has grown older, she revealed that she does not let comments about her weight affect her anymore. 'I have a maturity now where I just don't give a f*** about your opinion. I'm not going to take it on,' she stated.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Xtina Aguilera shows off her weight loss in Versace corset dress for Burlesque The Musical in London
Christina Aguilera attends the Burlesque The Musical photo op at The Savoy Theatre in London and shows off her slim figure in a tie-detailed olive-green Versace dress that she first wore in 2003. The singer, 44, showed off her dramatic weight loss in the strapless gown with black over-the-knee boots, and she added dramatic make-up with a slick of plum lipstick. After watching Sunday's preview of the stage show that she executive-produced, Monday saw Xtina at the venue for the reimagined musical of the 2010 screen hit that first turned her into an on-screen star, with her role as an aspiring performer. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Christina looked stunning as she posed outside theatre where the event took place. The singer rubbed shoulders with the original Burlesque writer-director Steve Antin. Following a sold-out run in Manchester, Burlesque The Musical's at The Savoy Theatre for a limited season, until September 6. Peace out: The singer pouted and showed off her full-length look
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Christina Aguilera, 44, shows off trim frame in an olive green dress as she poses at Burlesque: The Musical
Christina Aguilera showed off her slimmed down frame in a busty olive green dress as she attended Burlesque: The Musical photocall at The Savoy Theatre in London on Monday. The Genie In A Bottle hitmaker, 44, showed off her dramatic weight loss in the strapless number, which featured a corset bustier and a racy skirt split. The pop legend completed her head-turning outfit with black knee-high cowboy boots, matching a bold plum lipstick. The music favourite looked sensational striking a slew of poses outside theatre, where the star-studded event took place. The singer rubbed shoulders with fellow Burlesque co-star Steve Antin, and elsewhere beamed alongside American singer Orfeh. Following a sold-out run in Manchester, Burlesque The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre for a strictly limited season until 6 September 2025. Christina swapped the spotlight for a seat in the stalls on Sunday 20 July, when she slipped into London's Savoy Theatre to watch a preview of Burlesque The Musical. The musical reimagines the 2010 screen hit that first turned her into an on-screen star. Christina previously displayed her thin appearance and sparked concern among fans who discussed rumours she might have undergone plastic surgery on her face to achieve her transformed appearance. Her frame has also sparked rumours among fans who wondered if she may have turned to Ozempic-like drugs to help her impressive weight loss. Despite the speculation among fans that she may have altered her appearance in some way, the Grammy-winning singer–songwriter has not addressed any of the rumours. She was previously rumoured to have had a breast augmentation after displaying a scar under her arm — which is a common place for the surgical incision — in 2010. Recently, Christina showed off her age-defying looks on the cover of the French magazine Carcy, which set rumours bubbling from fans who wondered if she had touched up her face. In October of last year, multiple plastic surgeons who had not treated the songstress spoke to about her seemingly transformed appearance, suggesting that she may have undergone a face lift to sculpt her cheekbones and smooth the natural lines between her nose and lips. Reality star Demi Jones turned heads in a leopard print mini dress Other cosmetic surgeons have shared similar opinions about her new appearance on social media. Although Christina has not directly responded to the claims, she recently said she no longer feels the need to 'give a f***' about the public scrutiny on her body. Following the speculation, she has since commented on the years-long 'obsession' over her weight in an interview with Glamour from August. 'When you're a teenager, you have a very different body than when you're in your 20s,' she said. 'I started to fill out, and then that was unacceptable because it was like, "Oh, she's getting thicker." Then I had industry people: "They liked your body and how you were as a skinny teenager."' However, as she has grown older, she revealed that she does not let comments about her weight affect her anymore. 'I have a maturity now where I just don't give a f*** about your opinion. I'm not going to take it on,' she stated.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Christina Aguilera, 44, shows off her slimmed down frame in an olive green dress as she poses at Burlesque: The Musical photocall
Christina Aguilera showed off her slimmed down frame in a busty olive green dress as she attended Burlesque: The Musical photocall at The Savoy Theatre in London on Monday. The Genie In A Bottle hitmaker, 44, showed off her dramatic weight loss in the strapless number, which featured a corset bustier and a racy skirt split. The pop legend completed her head-turning outfit with black knee-high cowboy boots, matching a bold plum lipstick. The music favourite looked sensational striking a slew of poses outside theatre, where the star-studded event took place. The singer rubbed shoulders with fellow Burlesque co-star Steve Antin, and elsewhere beamed alongside American singer Orfeh. Following a sold-out run in Manchester, Burlesque The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre for a strictly limited season until 6 September 2025. Christina swapped the spotlight for a seat in the stalls on Sunday 20 July, when she slipped into London's Savoy Theatre to watch a preview of Burlesque The Musical. The musical reimagines the 2010 screen hit that first turned her into an on-screen star. Christina previously displayed her thin appearance and sparked concern among fans who discussed rumours she might have undergone plastic surgery on her face to achieve her transformed appearance. Her frame has also sparked rumours among fans who wondered if she may have turned to Ozempic-like drugs to help her impressive weight loss. Despite the speculation among fans that she may have altered her appearance in some way, the Grammy-winning singer–songwriter has not addressed any of the rumours. She was previously rumoured to have had a breast augmentation after displaying a scar under her arm — which is a common place for the surgical incision — in 2010. Recently, Christina showed off her age-defying looks on the cover of the French magazine Carcy, which set rumours bubbling from fans who wondered if she had touched up her face. In October of last year, multiple plastic surgeons who had not treated the songstress spoke to about her seemingly transformed appearance, suggesting that she may have undergone a face lift to sculpt her cheekbones and smooth the natural lines between her nose and lips. Other cosmetic surgeons have shared similar opinions about her new appearance on social media. Although Christina has not directly responded to the claims, she recently said she no longer feels the need to 'give a f***' about the public scrutiny on her body. Following the speculation, she has since commented on the years-long 'obsession' over her weight in an interview with Glamour from August. 'When you're a teenager, you have a very different body than when you're in your 20s,' she said. 'I started to fill out, and then that was unacceptable because it was like, "Oh, she's getting thicker." Then I had industry people: "They liked your body and how you were as a skinny teenager."' However, as she has grown older, she revealed that she does not let comments about her weight affect her anymore. 'I have a maturity now where I just don't give a f*** about your opinion. I'm not going to take it on,' she stated.
