Sexy stormtroopers, a seductive Boba Fett and a four-metre long Jabba The Hutt are coming to town next week for The Empire Strips Back, a Star Wars parody burlesque show at Canberra Theatre.
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Creative director Russall S. Beattie is behind a number of parody productions, including last year's burlesque Game of Thrones show Dames of Thrones, but counts the Star Wars show as his favourite.
"I've been doing burlesque for 11 years but I've been a geek for 30," said Russall.
"Star Wars is probably the most fun show – it's very accessible and everyone knows what is it."
The show stars 40 Star Wars characters, played by 20 performers, each with a sexy edge in fitting with the burlesque style.
Standing at six foot seven, Russall plays, "all the big characters", including Chewbacca when he grows to seven foot four when you include the stilts in the costume.
All of the show's costumes are made as authentic as possible, and a few of Russall's other toys and gadgets also feature.
"We have a Land Speeder, a remote-controlled R2D2, flame-throwers and guns all on stage," he said.
The group's Canberra show on April 18 is one of the last times it will be performed on Australian soil for "quite some time", with the crew heading to the stage in Las Vegas.
They'll be taking with them, "an eight tonne truck worth of costumes and lighting", but Russall said travelling with giant furry costumes and Stormtrooper heads barely raises an eyebrow at customs.
"They don't even screen me – everyone loves Star Wars."
And as for the other Star Wars production hitting the big screens later this year, Russall said he's excited.
"The trailer's really brought it home. And I'm old enough now that I'm not so precious about it."
The Empire Strips Back: A Star Wars Parody is on at Canberra Theatre Centre on April 18, 8pm. Tickets $60 from canberratheatrecentre.com.au.
