The Empire Strips Back, a bizarre, surreal (and utterly unofficial) burlesque parody of Star Wars is coming to West London’s Riverside Studios between 2 May and 17 August. Featuring parodies of all the classic characters, The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody creates one of the most unforgettable (and entirely unauthorised) theatrical interpretations of the beloved franchise. We sat down with producer and co-founder Neil Gooding to discuss the creative journey behind The Empire Strips back and how a galaxy far, far away got a cheeky burlesque twist.
What inspired you to merge the world of Star Wars with the art of burlesque, and did you expect it to resonate so strongly with audiences globally?
I wish I could take the credit for that, but that idea was the brainchild of the two Australian creators- Russall S. Beattie and Craig Ridgwell. And it really grew out of a very small idea. Craig and Russall were running burlesque nights at a bar that they ran in Sydney. And one night, they decided to do a Star Wars themed burlesque and since that time it has grown and grown into what it is now. I got involved about 14 years ago as an investor in one of the early incarnations of the show, but I’m still shocked about exactly how big it has become. In hindsight it makes sense though – a lot of people want to go out, have fun…and sexy Star Wars is a pretty great way to do that!
How has the show evolved creatively and logistically from its beginnings in a 150-seat Sydney bar to international stages like London’s Riverside Studios?
In the years following its first outing in the bar in Sydney, it definitely grew and evolved into the show that it has become today. But the idea and the seed of the show has always been the same. From time to time certain acts are put in and taken out of the show. But the core of the show has now been very similar for 10 years. The logistics of the show have definitely increased now that there are multiple tours going around the USA and the world at any point in time. That brings with it a whole new level of logistics and management.
What has surprised you most about audience reactions in different countries, and how have those reactions influenced the production?
Even after almost 3 years of producing the show in the USA, I am still always surprised by just how loud the audiences for the Empire Strips Back – and how much fun people have! That has been the same in every city and every country we have played. What is interesting are the slight differences that exist across countries. For example, in Paris the audiences clap along to the music a lot more than they do in the USA. And in Mexico City, certain songs make the audience sing like they’re a football match. But overall, audiences are just having a great time – and I can’t wait to see how London audiences react to the show.
Can you share how the creative team balances humor, sensuality, and storytelling to create a truly unique theatrical experience?
Humour was baked into the show from the very start. And it has to be with a show like this. It’s a parody – and audiences. Need to know that they are going to be able to laugh a lot and scream a lot. There is wonderful variety in the Empire Strips Back. A few of the songs really focus on the skill and technicality of the dancers. Some of them rely on exact precision and timing of the dancers. Some of the songs have amazing props (the scale of which always surprise the audience) and a few of the songs are just hilarious parody sequences that make audiences laugh no matter where they are performed.
With the extended London run, are there any new elements or surprises planned specifically for UK audiences?
Even though the show has been around for over 15 years now, this is the first time it will be seen by audiences in London. So the version of the show that we are starting with is the classic version that has been touring around the world. What we find is that a lot of audience members are not exactly sure what the show will entail, and then they are shocked at the size and detail of the costumes and large props etc, and at the characters that appear throughout the show and how they are used in parody situations. I am pretty confident in saying that London audiences don’t know yet what is about to hit them!
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… Tickets are available here.