(Image: Pamela Raith)
Theatregoers have been left disappointed yet again as the opening of Burlesque the Musical has been cancelled just hours before opening night.
It comes after the hit show, which is being performed at Sunderland Empire, was previously supposed to go ahead on Thursday, August 6, but was postponed until August 13, due to "technical requirements."
After a week of pushback, the North East theatre shared the news on social media today, that technical issues remain and the show will be unable to go ahead.
The production is hoping to go ahead tomorrow on Friday, August 14.
The post said: "The producers of Burlesque are sorry to announce that due to technical difficulties, tonight’s performance cannot go ahead.
"The team behind the show is working hard to resolve the issues and anticipates that burlesque will open on Friday August 14.
"Customers affected by the cancellation will be notified by email about the next steps."
The first 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.
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The last-minute change has caused frustration for many who had planned to attend the hit show.
One person said: "The burlesque the musical saga continues."
While another said: "The cast and crew deserve better."