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By Sarah Ward
March 09, 2021
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By Sarah Ward
March 09, 2021
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In 2011, in this very country and galaxy, a pop culture favourite gained a singing, stripping burlesque parody. It's the mash-up that was bound to happen. Who hasn't looked at George Lucas' space opera, its sprawling drama and ample spectacle, and wondered what a steamier, funnier version with more visible butt cheeks would look like?

Russall S Beattie clearly did, and had a good feeling that other people would give it a shot. The Empire Strips Back was the end result. It became a hit around Australia, then took itself overseas to much acclaim. Now it's returning home for a 2021 tour โ€” once again showing local audiences that lightsabers aren't the hottest thing in the Star Wars galaxy.

The saucyย show promises "seriously sexy stormtroopers, a dangerously seductive Boba Fett, some tantalising Twi'leks, a delightfully lukewarm Taun Taun, a lady-like Skywalker [and] the droids you are looking for", according to itsย website. Apparentlyย Yoda doesn't get the sexed-up treatment, but there is plenty of song, dance, acrobatics and โ€” because it's burlesque โ€” the removal of clothing.

A dancing Chewie and Han is just the beginning of this cheeky take onย Star Warsย cosplay. Given that it's got an upbeat soundtrack, the costumes are extremely detailed and the show throws out lots of references to George Lucas' original plot, it's not surprising that local audiences โ€” presumably the same ones that pack outย Star Warsย partiesย andย large-scale screenings with a live orchestraย โ€” have latched onto the production.

Heading to the Palais on Saturday, August 28, The Empire Strips Backย sits alongsideย Dame of Thronesย in Beattie's pop culture parody stable โ€” so if you've already seen one of your fantastical screen obsessions get the burlesque treatment, then you know what you're in for.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, March 12 โ€” so not too far away, and obviously in this very galaxy.

If you'reย superย keen, you can also nab aย Wookieerotica magazineย online: a 116-page, 70s-style men's mag, just casually featuring all of your favourite jedis, siths, ewoks and otherย Star Warsย characters. Either way, it could be a great introduction to burlesque orย Star Wars, depending on which way you're coming at it.

Images: Jon Bauer, Leslie Liu and Josh Groom.ย 

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