First week of Burlesque the Musical in Sunderland dates axed

The show had been scheduled to open today (Thursday, August 6), at Sunderland Empire, but has now been postponed until Thursday, August 13, due to “technical requirements”.

The delay has led to the cancellation of performances originally planned for the first week – and affected ticket holders have been offered vouchers to rebook.

However, one fan claimed: “The same tickets are more! How do you work that out?”

Another simply said: “Not impressed!”

The postponement came just days before the start of the show’s UK tour, which was originally meant to begin in Woking before being shifted to Sunderland.

Burlesque the Musical is based on the 2010 film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, which featured hit songs such as Express, Show Me How You Burlesque, and Cher’s Golden Globe-winning You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me.

The stage adaptation made its debut in Manchester in the summer of 2024 before moving to Glasgow and then London’s Savoy Theatre.

It was due to return to London for a run at the new Arts Theatre in Marble Arch this September, but that engagement has now been postponed until 2027.

The revised schedule means Sunderland is now the first stop of the tour, though its run at the Empire will be shortened by a week due to the delays.

The last-minute change has caused frustration for many who had planned to attend during the original opening week.