The internationally acclaimed show The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody is set to make its London premiere at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith from 2 May, with a gala night on May the Fourth.
Originally scheduled to end on 22 June, the producers have extended the run due to overwhelming demand. Thousands of tickets have just been released for performances up until 17 August.
Featuring parodies of all the classic characters, The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody transports audiences to a surreal galaxy far, far away, creating one of the most unforgettable (and entirely unauthorized) theatrical interpretations of the beloved franchise.
Transporting audiences to a world of burlesque fantasy, menacing and sexy dance, dangerous seduction, hilarious parody, and even the droids you’re looking for. Your favorite characters are scantily clad, seriously sultry, and live on stage!
The Empire Strips Back celebrates a resurgence of burlesque, delivering an absurdly fun and raucous experience for fans of the art form and 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 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 to touring like a smash Broadway hit. 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. 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.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
