The galaxy’s funniest and raciest parody has finally landed in London. The Empire Strips Back – after globetrotting success in Australia, the US, Paris and Mexico City – is making its UK debut at Riverside Studios, running from 4 May to 17 August 2025. And what a riot of irreverent fun it is.
This is not your average Star Wars spoof, nor is it traditional burlesque. It’s more akin to a full-on adult variety show set in a galaxy far, far away – think more strip club fantasy than West End theatre. With dazzling costumes, tongue-in-cheek comedy, and a healthy dose of glitter, this is one for the grown-ups. (To be clear: The Empire Strips Back is not suitable for under-13s, and probably best enjoyed without the kids in tow.)
From the moment the lights go down, the energy is palpable. The music choices are on point – from seductive slow numbers to high-energy crowd pleasers – and the lighting design complements every twist and tease. It’s slick, colourful and very, very cheeky.
Let’s talk props and costumes: they’re nothing short of fantastic. The highlight for me? A life-size, animatronic Jabba the Hutt that looks like it slithered straight off a Lucasfilm set. It’s creepy, comical, and lifelike enough to make you flinch – especially when Princess Leia (in that gold bikini, naturally) dispatches him with a seductive twist.
C3PO and R2D2 (or rather, D2R2 in this delightfully naughty version) are brilliant – shiny, camp, and played with great comedic flair. At one point, D2R2 throws money at Leia after her striptease. It’s ludicrous, hilarious, and somehow utterly on-brand for this production.
The Stormtroopers, all female, bring precision and sass in equal measure. Their dance routines are a joy – polished, funny, and imbued with that knowing wink to the audience that makes burlesque such an art form.
However, there’s one small gripe. The cast is overwhelmingly female, with only one male performer: a strikingly talented Black “Han Solo” figure who oozes charisma and dazzles with his Michael Jackson-inspired moonwalk. But – and here’s the rub – he doesn’t actually strip. So, for any straight women hoping for a bit of Magic Mike in the mix, you may leave feeling ever so slightly short-changed. This show is very much tailored to a straight male gaze, despite its celebration of all things camp and sexy.
The audience interaction is electric. The host poses tongue-in-cheek Star Wars trivia, with replies shouted out with glee. People were vocal, flirty, and clearly loving the opportunity to laugh and let loose.
There’s no real storyline – thankfully – just a sequence of punchy, inventive numbers. And while Star Wars purists might come for the novelty, the actual references are loose. This is first and foremost about the burlesque, not the sci-fi.
A special mention must go to Riverside Studios itself. Always a trailblazer for bold, offbeat programming, it continues to impress. Whether it’s this racy romp through the galaxy or a recent songwriting workshop I attended, the venue never fails to deliver something fresh and exciting.
Final verdict:
The Empire Strips Back is outrageously fun, beautifully staged, and unashamedly sexy. Don’t come expecting plot or deep character arcs – come for the glitter, the grind, and the guilty giggles. It’s a gloriously silly, adults-only night out that proves the Force is strong … and very cheeky indeed.
