‘I went to Star Wars burlesque – there’s dancing Sith Lords, sexy stormtroopers and more’

Aliens, a bit of glam, a few laughs. No, this isn’t the Daily Star, this is The Empire Strips Back.

London is the latest city around the world and the first in the UK to host the leading Star Wars burlesque parody, touching down in the hive of scum and villany known as Hammersmith, West London.

Riverside Studios was packed to the rafters with everyone from horny Star Wars fans in branded memorabillia to smart couples out for an evening of something a bit different, all hoping to get a little bit more intimate with perhaps the best known film series of all time.

Princess Leia may have been the main draw for many in there but everyone got more than they bargained for with a surprise opening foray from Luke Skywalker and his landspeeder.

And so the tone was set, set after set of shocking, hilarious, sexy scenes, all of which mean I’ll never be able to look at the originals in the same way.

There are three things about this show that stand out. Firstly, it’s sexy, that is undeniable, the performers are in immaculate nick, are great at what they do and the sets are choreographed cleverly and tastefully, great whoops of appreciation whipping through the crowd time and time again.

Secondly, its high quality. The costumes are incredible and look the real deal, if errr, stormtroopers only wore helmets that is.

They nail the films’ aesthetic with fabulous lighting. One particular Jedi scene looks like something out of a canon Disney-commission poster for a new high budget spin off series.

FInally and perhaps both most surprisingly, it’s really funny.

I wasn’t sure how far the use of ‘parody’ was just marketing talk, but it turns out the show’s creators have worked hard to ensure that classic moments we all know and love subvert expectation and catch you off guard with something that delights.

The funniest moment, however, comes from evil Sith Lord Emperor Palpatine, who we see in an exposed way we’ve never seen before, in an incredible crossover with Miley Cyrus. You have to see it believe it. (Hint – It involves wrecking balls).

On multiple occasions you’re left thinking ‘wow I always saw it a bit like that’ but you just needed this show to spell it out for you.

Think, for example of that Jabba the Hut scene in the Return of the Jedi where Princess Leia is in the gold outfit.

It’s seedy, uncomfortable, and this show will help you spell it out for what it really is.

Pulling the whole show together is Pete, who hosts and steps on between each scene.

He’s there for a little bit of audience engagement and a moment of respite between the intense and breathless performances – which was smooth apart from one awkward heckle that Pete, dressed as a well-known Star Wars soldier, dealt with well.

The music is varied. Pop one minute, rock the next and Star Wars classic the minute after that. There’s slow ones, fast ones, there’s a wonderful bromance moment. The dancing is elite, snappy and tight.

It’s weird though, surreal and nerdy too, and you’ll get far more from it if you you’re a big fan of the franchsie – my girlfriend received Death Stars (ha) when she was the only person to say she hadn’t seen the films when Pete asked.

This isn’t a cheap night out either, with tickets starting at £29 on Tuesdays and £50 on weekends.

But still, if either burlesque or Star Wars are your thing, park your expectations, open your mind, and remember to put deodorant on – You’re in for a good night!

The Empire Strips Back is showing at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London, until June 22.