★★★★★

“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.

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“a beautifully told love story”

Firebird by Richard Hough tells the story of Sergey Fetisov during the 1970s in occupied Estonia, and how he fell in love with fighter pilot Roman Matvejev. Due to homophobic attitudes in the soviet regime – still present today – they’re ability to keep their love secret is challenging and ends up splitting Roman and Sergey’s life into pieces.

Hough succeeds in adapting the previously made screenplay of the same name of this story into a well crafted and succinct 90 minute stage play. The pacing of the action is good and doesn’t linger on any unnecessary details. Immediately introducing the three central characters via a play boxing fight before a radio recording of the news at the time, established both the key points of the characters’ relationship dynamics, as well as the context of the time period. Despite the play being based on Sergey’s memoir; Roman was framed as the central character – depicting how he was likely central to Sergey’s life. Roman follows Sergey through his life throughout the story, but it is always Roman who leads the way. Robert Eades plays Roman with an incredible sense of optimism wrapped around a straight backed matter-of-fact and blunt approach. This contrasts with Theo Walker’s Sergey, who is often nervous and confused, yet innately curious and controversial. I did find I often struggled to see romantic or sexual chemistry from the pair. The initial kiss felt stiff and out of nowhere due to not seeing any flirting or hints to their attraction previously. In the end, however, their love is believable and creates some wonderfully touching moments.

Another key component in Roman’s wild affairs is Luisa Jannsen, played by Sorcha Kennedy. Kennedy is incredibly engaging in her performance, I was often drawn closely to her eyes and found a whole world of truth and emotion deep within them. Nigel Hastings also stands out as Colonel Alexei Kuznestov, with excellent focus, poignant intention and a flare with the rhythm of the text. All are complemented by Owen Lewis’ direction which manages to make an intimate staging feel massive with an incredible use of space, that manages to glide through different locations and times with ease. Clancy Flynn’s lighting design must also be praised at this point, often fading between warm or cool tones to indicate different locations based on their atmospheric tone. There was also one sequence where various colourful lights were used to portray fireworks, which then quickly transitioned to an explosion. A subtle yet effective portrayal of the events moving forward. The same can be said of Gregor Donnelly’s design, with the use of a simple set that leaves the stage pretty much bare asides a few pieces of furniture: two stage-like wooden blocks, a few chairs, a desk. All of which are transported throughout the piece as and when needed, achieving the same goal of making the intimate staging feel larger than it is.

Overall, Firebird is a beautifully told love story that shows how happiness can be found in human connection in spite of all the challenges put against it.

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

Riverside Studios

★★★★★

“a beautiful representation of the power of live performance”

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

Riverside Studios

Reviewed on 4th May 2025

by David Robinson

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

★★★★

“a beautifully told love story”

FIREBIRD

King’s Head Theatre

Reviewed on 21st January 2025

by David Robinson

Photography by Geraint Lewis

Previously reviewed at this venue:

FIREBIRD

FIREBIRD

FIREBIRD

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