Review: THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK, Riverside Studios
In a galaxy far, far away, there is a burlesque show full of sultry performers who are ready to geek out and strip back. From Droids, Wookies and Jabba The Hut to Jedis, Storm Troopers and The Shadow Guard, watch as these alluring fan favourites showcase their skills and their skin. Hosted by the charismatic Admiral Piet, who also doubles as a rebel, are you ready to join the dark side?
This show first opened at The Vanguard in Sydney in 2011 and has been being performed ever since. It has been so successful that it has gone to multiple venues in over 30 cities across the globe, from Australia to America and Paris. Whilst it is currently being performed in Chicago, Seattle and Las Vegas, the performance at Riverside Studios marks its official London debut.
The design of the show is slick. After a title screen, akin to that which is used at the start of episode five of the Star Wars films, bright coloured lights fill the mostly empty black box theatre stage space. Curtains are used to keep the order of the acts and the behind-the-scenes magic a secret, allowing time for the host to really show off his skills.
The attention to detail is meticulous, sometimes cleverly hiding themed underwear beneath layers of (mostly) film accurate costuming and at other times, blending lingerie and classic burlesque costuming with the iconic character looks to create a highly erotic aesthetic.
The show itself is highly entertaining and sexy at the same time.
Pete Dobbing makes the perfect host, both by clearly stating the rules of the show (keeping in mind that Burlesque is not the same as stripping) and helping to maintain the tone and the energy of the evening through frequent audience interaction. Yes, audiences are invited to share their love of Star Wars through character impressions, sharing of tattoos, suggestions of which quotes from Star Wars could be used as safe words in the bedroom etc. We thought this was a lot of fun and had a great time getting involved with offering an R2D2 scream or two. Due to the fact that the show runs by offering lots of different short acts based on the Star Wars canon, it also cleverly allows the performers to set up the next part of the show whilst the audience is too busy laughing at and joining in with the host’s charismatic mini stand-up comedy bits to notice the transitions.
The quality of the cast cannot be stated enough; every single member is a highly skilled dancer who really commits to the bit. Han Solo (David Devyne) and Chewbacca (Dennis Anin-Badu) are particular audience favourites. This dynamic duo seamlessly combine hip hop and modern dancing with burlesque strip teasing to create a very hot act. Not to mention that they manage to get the audience on their feet to shout “f*** the empire!”, which really brings the element of sci-fi roleplay to life.
We also particularly enjoyed watching the dancer who performed a Princess Leia themed act. At the start of her act onstage with R2D2, the beauty of burlesque is highlighted through her graceful ballet/modern dance style - it really is beautiful to watch. Then we get to see her dark side in a significantly more lusty and provocative routine, which makes everyone fully understand why fans find Leia particularly attractive in a gold bikini.
It’s also worth mentioning that there is a lot of gender-bending in this show, with casting clearly being purely based on whichever performer has the skill and talent to convey the role. We enjoy watching a female version of Darth Vader and her sexy Storm Troopers entice us to the dark side, as well as watching Boba Fett take to the stage in all of her glory.
Fans and non-fans will enjoy this show with both the full range of entertainment it has to offer and how inclusive, shameless and safe the performers make the environment.
Alluring, empowering and tastefully sexy whilst incorporating the best parts of the Star Wars fandom, the force is definitely with this show and all of its Jedi Knights. By far some of the best burlesque we’ve seen.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Megan O’Neill
The Empire Strips Back plays at Riverside Studios until 17 August, with further info here.
