I have been eyeing this production up since they first sashayed onto the stage. When I heard the show was finally coming to London, I couldn’t handle my excitement. 

 

The Empire Strips Back is a fun fan service filled soft entry into burlesque. 

 

With Empire Pete, your host, leading the way and keeping those unfamiliar with the art form, and how they should behave, in check. You are in safe hands as you head to a galaxy far, far away… 

 

I want to continue first of all by saying: the cast of this show is incredible. Each performance is a show stopper. Each dancer an artist putting their all into every step. This is very much a stunning and highly skilled cast. 

 

However… as much as I did enjoy the show over all, can appreciate how much work has gone into it… and that it is designed to appeal to a very specific audience…

 

I really do find their lack of diversity disturbing.

 

We get cookie cutter, Barbie does burlesque vibes throughout. With very little else. When there could be so much more.

 

In London, this isn’t what a burlesque show is. There is so much missing. So many people missing.  So much value that should be here. But perhaps this wouldn’t fit the mould the producers have in mind. 

 

The burlesque and by extension the cabaret community here is so inclusive. So full of representation and creativity. Much like what is being fought for in the Star Wars universe…

 

And this production being in London, where the most recent Star Wars movies were filmed… where there is access to an incredibly diverse talent pool. The choices the producers have made, to me sadly, speak a lot louder than the show it’s self. 

 

We have many parody productions here. That are burlesque, cabaret based. And are inclusive. Both uk based and touring companies. Such as The Gallifrey Cabaret, Swamplesque, and countless others that pop up on a regular basis. 

 

So whilst The Empire Strips Back is an enjoyable show. Who is missing is what I was thinking about as I made my way home on May the 4th