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The Empire Strips Back – 2026 UK Tour Dates and Tickets

Freddie Arthur Harrison • 2026-03-31 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

The Empire Strips Back arrives in the United Kingdom as a theatrical burlesque parody, reimagining the Star Wars universe through comedy and striptease. Productions feature costumed characters including stylized stormtroopers and interpretations of bounty hunters, blending fan culture with adult entertainment for audiences aged 18 and over.

The production has sold between 400,000 and 500,000 tickets globally, according to official sources. Following engagements in London and international markets, performances will expand to additional English cities throughout 2026.

Confirmed tour dates span Manchester, Birmingham, and previous London engagements, with specific ticketing procedures governing admission.

What is The Empire Strips Back?

Show Type: Star Wars Burlesque Parody
Current Status: UK Tour Scheduled for 2026
Key Cities: Manchester, Birmingham, London
Tickets: Official Fever Platform Only
  • Features comedic striptease performances with Star Wars-themed characters
  • Runtime approximately 2 hours including 15-minute intermission
  • Strictly 18+ with strobe lighting effects deployed during performances
  • Photography and video recording prohibited throughout shows
  • Global ticket sales exceed 400,000 according to production records
  • Official tickets distributed exclusively through Fever platform
  • Group booking options available for parties of 8 or more
Fact Details
Genre Burlesque Parody
Theme Star Wars Universe
Duration 2 hours (with 15-minute intermission)
Age Restriction 18+ Only
Photography Policy Strictly Prohibited
Lighting Effects Strobe Lights Used
Global Reach 400,000-500,000 Tickets Sold
Primary Ticket Vendor Fever

The Empire Strips Back UK Tour Dates and Locations

Booking Notice

Official tickets for all UK performances are sold exclusively through the Fever platform. Third-party resellers should be avoided to prevent fraudulent purchases.

The The Empire Strips Back – UK Tour Dates Tickets Venues currently lists confirmed performances in two major English cities. Manchester dates commence March 6, 2026, while Birmingham performances begin January 15, 2026. Previous London engagements concluded after running from December 29, 2023.

Manchester Schedule

Performances in Manchester launch March 6, 2026. The production has not publicly specified the venue address. Showtimes follow a structured weekly pattern: Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays offering dual performances at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Birmingham Venue

Birmingham hosts the production at The Old Rep Theatre located at 45 Station Street, B5 4DY. The run begins January 15, 2026, with evening performances Tuesday through Friday and matinee options on Saturdays. Despite the venue listing showing “SHOW’S OVER!”, the start date remains published, suggesting potential website maintenance or concluded advance sales.

The Empire Strips Back in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Leeds

London Run Concluded

The London production operated from December 29, 2023, at Studio 2, Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. Historical showtimes included Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday double-headers at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Saturday triple-bills, and Sunday matinees. The official site now displays “SHOW’S OVER!” with past ticket prices starting at £47.

Leeds Status Uncertain

No confirmed Leeds dates appear in official tour listings. Searches across Manchester, Birmingham, and London specific pages yield no Yorkshire engagements. Prospective attendees in the region may need to travel to confirmed northern dates or await future announcements.

Manchester Ticket Availability

Manchester represents the primary northern England opportunity for 2026. Tickets are currently on sale through official channels. Group accommodations for parties exceeding eight guests can be arranged for tailored experiences.

How to Get Tickets for The Empire Strips Back UK Tour

Avoid Unauthorized Sellers

The production emphasizes that Fever remains the sole authorized ticket vendor. Purchases through alternative platforms risk invalidation or fraudulent transactions.

Pricing Context

While specific 2026 UK pricing remains undisclosed, previous London tickets started at £47. Comparable US markets show entry prices exceeding $111 according to secondary market data from SeatGeek.

Individual tickets for Manchester are available now. Birmingham sales status appears uncertain given the “SHOW’S OVER!” notification, though the listed start date suggests potential inventory updates. Group bookings require direct coordination for customized arrangements.

The Empire Strips Back Tour Timeline

  1. : London production opens at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.
  2. 2024: London run continues with multiple weekly performances; global sales surpass 400,000 tickets.
  3. Late 2024: London engagement concludes; site lists “SHOW’S OVER!”
  4. : Birmingham tour scheduled to commence at The Old Rep Theatre.
  5. : Manchester performances scheduled to begin.
  6. 2026 (Concurrent): US tour continues in Las Vegas and other American cities.

What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the UK Tour

Established Information Uncertain Details
Manchester: March 6, 2026 start, tickets on sale Specific Manchester venue address unpublished
Birmingham: January 15, 2026 at The Old Rep Theatre Current ticket availability status unclear due to “SHOW’S OVER” message
London: Concluded December 2023 run at Riverside Studios Future London return dates not announced
Show duration: 2 hours with intermission Leeds tour dates: No confirmations found
Tickets exclusively via Fever Exact 2026 UK pricing tiers not published

The Cultural Context of Star Wars Burlesque Parody

The production occupies a distinct niche combining nostalgia for the space opera franchise with the aesthetic traditions of burlesque theater. By reimagining iconic Imperial imagery through striptease and comedy, the show targets adult audiences familiar with original trilogy references.

Character interpretations including stylized stormtroopers and burlesque versions of bounty hunters demonstrate how fan culture adapts mainstream intellectual property for cabaret formats. This approach has evidently resonated internationally, given the half-million ticket sales figure reported by organizers at theempirestripsback.com.

The 18+ restriction and prohibition on recording devices indicate a focus on immersive, in-the-moment entertainment distinct from family-friendly franchise adaptations. Strobe lighting warnings further signal the theatrical intensity of the visual presentation.

Reviews and Reception

An enormous success.

— Official production materials, Birmingham page

Memorable.

— Official production materials, Manchester page

Official sources characterize the reception positively. The show’s expansion from London to additional UK cities in 2026 suggests sustained commercial viability.

Planning Your Visit to The Empire Strips Back

Prospective attendees should monitor empirestripsback.com and Fever directly for real-time availability updates, as listings may change. Those considering The Empire Strips Back – 2026 UK Tour Dates and Tickets should secure Manchester reservations promptly, while Birmingham purchasers may need to verify current inventory status given contradictory website signals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is The Empire Strips Back performance?

The show runs approximately 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission.

Why is photography prohibited during performances?

The production enforces a strict no photos and no videos policy to protect the performers’ privacy and maintain the immersive theatrical experience for all attendees.

Are strobe lights used in the show?

Yes, performances include strobe lighting effects. Attendees with photosensitive conditions should take precautions.

Can I purchase tickets at the venue on the day?

Tickets are sold exclusively through the Fever platform. Door sales availability remains unconfirmed and advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Will there be Leeds performances in 2026?

No Leeds dates have been confirmed in current tour announcements. Prospective attendees should monitor official channels for updates.

What is the dress code for attending?

The venue does not specify a dress code, though audiences typically embrace creative or costume-inspired attire fitting the Star Wars theme.

Are refreshments available during the intermission?

Venue-specific amenities vary. The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham and Manchester venues typically offer bar services, though specific policies should be verified directly with each location.

Is the show suitable for Star Wars fans who are not familiar with burlesque?

The production combines comedy and striptease with franchise references. Fans should expect adult-oriented entertainment rather than traditional theatrical reproduction.

Freddie Arthur Harrison

About the author

Freddie Arthur Harrison

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.