THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

Riverside Studios

★★★★★

“a beautiful representation of the power of live performance”

I can confidently say that you do not need to have seen Star Wars to enjoy this show. I say that because, shamefully, I went to see this without having ever seen it. With Star Wars being so engrossed in pop culture, and having enjoyed several other parodies (The Family Guy Specials, to be precise), the references certainly didn’t go over my head. Created by Russall S. Beattie and directed by Bec Morris, The Empire Strips Back is a classic Burlesque cabaret with a mix of comedic and contemporary dance performances all themed around the Star Wars franchise. It features everything one needs from great Burlesque: nipple tassels, audience interaction and some amazing lighting design. Even from the cosy seats of Hammersmith, the audience certainly experiences something far far away.

The show opens strongly with a dance duet between one of the incredible NX5 Theatrical Dance company members and what I believe is known as a Bantha. The first of many fantastic puppetry pieces of the show. After swiftly warming up the audience, we are introduced to the host who continues to engage with the audience before and after each act. This is where the majority of the comedy lies, with an incredible amount of wit and improvised audience interaction.

The dance styles are a mix between classic Burlesque, exotic and contemporary dance, making the show overall feel incredibly rich. There’s beautifully romantic scenes between masked aliens as well as surprisingly sexy dance moves from Chewbacca. The puppetry and animatronics are astounding, not only with the previously mentioned Bantha, but a full stage scale, lip syncing, Jabba the Hutt. Not one area of this show cuts corners. Every aspect from the costume, to the dance, to the amazing use of a rainbow lighting spectacle is fully exploited.

After six years of touring around the world, The Empire Strips Back has landed in London and launched on Star Wars day, and the City will be glad of it. As the world appears bleaker and bleaker, it is shows like this that bring joy, laughter and a sense of community. The audience was – naturally – full of Star Wars fans, with everybody bonding over their Star Wars tattoos and Chewbacca impressions. Even without knowing the franchise well, I felt a part of a really positive crowd. To quote the Last Jedi itself, as it was quoted in the show, “We don’t get stronger by fighting the things we hate, but by protecting the things we love”. The Empire Strips Back is a beautiful representation of the power of live performance. And that should be protected at all costs.

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

★★★★★

Riverside Studios

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

Riverside Studios

★★★★★

“a beautiful representation of the power of live performance”