BURLESQUE SHOW 'THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK' GETS LONDON EXTENSION
- ely01123
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK, THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SHOW IS EXTENDING ITS DEBUT LONDON SEASON DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND AT THE RIVERSIDE STUDIOS FROM 2 MAY-12 AUGUST
The internationally acclaimed show The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody is coming to Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios for its London premiere between opening 2 May, with a gala night on May the Fourth...
Originally due to finish on 22 June, the producers have now extended the run due to overwhelming demand, and thousands of tickets have just been released for performances up until 17 August, with tickets on sale here.
Featuring parodies of all the classic characters, The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody takes audiences to a surreal galaxy far, far away, creating one of the most unforgettable (and entirely unauthorised) theatrical interpretations of the beloved franchise.
Transporting audiences to a world of burlesque fantasy, of menacing and sexy dance, of dangerous seduction, of hilarious parody, and even the droids you're looking for. Your favourite characters are scantily clad, seriously sultry and live on stage!
The Empire Strips Back celebrates a resurgence of burlesque, whilst delivering an absurdly fun and raucous experience for fans of the art form, as well as the classic film series. With comedy and allure, loving detail, and hilarious parody, The Empire Strips Back drops classic characters into the hilarious world of parody.
The original version was booked in a cramped, 150-seat bar in Sydney, a one-off production for a three-night run. Fast-forward to three simultaneous productions constantly touring North America, an enthusiastic audience of over 300,000+, and a Huffington Post viral video feature boasting over 20 million views.
This little-show-that-could morphed from touring like an underground indie band, with small-scale one-nighters in dive bars and basement clubs, to touring like a smash Broadway hit. (and a lot more fun than any of those!) After earning its theatrical stripes at Hollywood’s Montalban Theatre in a three-month 2022 run, the show has enjoyed extended residencies in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, Atlanta and many others. It has also proved a hit with sold-out shows in Australia, Paris and Mexico City and now The Empire Strips Back has set its sights on conquering London.
The Empire Strips Back is produced by Foster Entertainment and Neil Gooding Productions, presented with Fever. The show was created by Russall S. Beattie.
Producer Neil Gooding said: "Bringing The Empire Strips Back to London for the very first time is a dream come true. This show started life as a small passion project in a Sydney bar, and now, after touring across the U.S., Australia, and beyond, we’re finally arriving in a city with one of the greatest theatre heritages in the world - and the place where much of the first Star Wars movie was shot!"
Producer David J. Foster continued: "London audiences are in for a wild, hilarious, and completely unforgettable night – we can’t wait to take over Riverside Studios and introduce the UK to our unique intergalactic spectacle."
CRITICAL PRAISE FOR THE SHOW
SFGate.com, San Francisco
● “I saw the Star Wars show and now I’m forever changed. An enormous success … one of the most memorable and impressive live performances I’ve ever seen. I know that The Force is already with them.”
New York Post, New York
● “Impressively detailed and visually enamoring.”
AisleSeatReview.com, San Francisco
● “The most fun you’ll have in a theatre all summer long. A full house on opening night and a rowdy one too.”
WeLiveEntertainment.com, Los Angeles
● “Probably the most fun I've had at a show all year! A must-see for Star Wars fans and anyone that likes a bawdy good time.”
Reno Gazette Journal, Las Vegas
● “Star Wars fans, this is the show you’re looking for”
Indianapolis Monthly, Indianapolis
● “This is burlesque at its finest. It demystifies the body and challenges sexual politics head-on.”
AisleSeatReview.com, San Francisco
● “The show’s dancers are talented, gorgeous, and aggressive, with moves that encompass every dance genre from the early ‘60s to the hip-hop present. Musically, and choreographically, there’s something for everyone in this show.”
L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles
● “The attention to detail in the costuming is astounding, the enthusiasm and energy of the dancers unparalleled in this galaxy or any other.”
SFGate.com, San Francisco
● “Dark and sexy … visually decadent and tonally unique … making every goth and nerd in the audience scream like animals.”
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