Lead cast and creative team announced for the first UK Tour production of Burlesque The Musical, based on the hit movie, visiting Sunderland Empire in August 2026

The lead cast and full creative team have been announced for the first UK tour of Burlesque the Musical. Faye Brookes will star as Tess Richarde, the Burlesque club owner portrayed by the legendary Cher in Stephen Antin’s Golden Globe winning, Best Picture nominated 2010 film.

Fresh from its sold-out, critically acclaimed West End premiere at the Savoy Theatre, Burlesque the Musical will embark on a 24-venue UK tour throughout 2026 and 2027. The production will visit Sunderland Empire from Thursday 6 – Saturday 22 August 2026.

As Tess Richarde, Faye Brookes became a household name (Best Newcomer at the 22^nd National Television Awards) as Kate Connor in Coronation Street. She was later runner up in the 13th series of Dancing On Ice. On stage, her many musical theatre starring roles include Roxie Hart in Chicago, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Fran in Strictly Ballroom.

Ryan Carter (playing both Sean and Ms Loretta) has just finished playing The Iceberg in Titanique in the West End. His other West End credits include playing Smokey Robinson in Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations and Eddie Kendricks in Motown The Musical. He was Jagwire in Bat Out of Hell (UK Tour), The Hard Man in Choir of Man (UK Tour) and Pierre in The Boy Friend (Menier Chocolate Factory).

As Ali Rose, Gracie O’Brien, a recent graduate, will be making her professional stage debut. Her roles in training include Beverly Bass in Come From Away and Margaret New in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Davide Fienauri (Vince) was most recently in Kiss of the Spider Woman (Curve Leicester & UK tour). His West End credits include cover Christian and cover Santiago in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, cover Kristoff and cover Pabbie in Frozen and ensemble in Mary Poppins.

Tyler Davis (Jackson) made his West End and Broadway debut as Sheldrake in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Blvd. He was more recently seen as 3D/ 1^st cover Biff Tannen in Back To The Future The Musical in the West End.

Vanessa Ela Young (Nikki) made her West End debut in The Drifters Girl as understudy to Beverley Knight as Faye Treadwell. She was Alternate Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Based on Steven Antin’s iconic Golden Globe-winning and Best Picture-nominated film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, Burlesque the Musical is a glittering, high-voltage theatrical event packed with powerhouse vocals, jaw-dropping choreography, and outrageous glamour. With a creative team led by Producer, Writer & Creative Director Steven Antin, it is directed by Racky Plews (I‘m Every Woman The Chaka Khan Musical, Green Day’s American Idiot) with choreography by Robin Antin (creator of The Pussycat Dolls).

Step inside a club where sequins shimmer, seduction sparkles, and a single song can change your life forever. When Ali heads to New York searching for her mother, Tess Richarde, she is swept into a dazzling underground world of ambition, temptation, music, and desire – discovering not only her extraordinary voice, but the family she never knew she needed.

Featuring songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Jess Folley, Todrick Hall, and Steven Antin, Burlesque the Musical is a scintillating celebration of self-discovery, empowerment, and unapologetic fabulousness.

Burlesque the Musical plays at Sunderland Empire Thursday 6 – Saturday 22 August 2026. Tickets are available here.