London has no shortage of high-quality cabaret performances, but when Dita Von Teese comes to town, it’s a whole new level of entertainment. The sparkling, crystal-clad queen of burlesque is bringing her brand-new show Diamonds and Dust to the British capital.
With a wild west theme, the production is a heady mix of glamour, high-stakes drama, and breathtaking artistry. As always, her charismatic crew will be rocking some splendid frocks. Think glitter, Swarovski crystals, corsets, lace lingerie, and dramatic makeup – all spiced up with cowboy hats, guns, spurs, and a game of poker.
For the love of burlesque
Diamonds and Dust is taking place at the new Emerald Theatre, formerly home to the Proud Embankment cabaret venue. This intimate space seats only 430 guests and is designed to let performers stage immersive productions that give audiences a far more up-close-and-personal experience than larger, more traditional venues.
Prepare for the variety of acts performed by Von Teese, who embodies Lady Luck, alongside her troupe of showgirls and showboys and some of the best burlesque performers from around the globe. The diva herself sings and dances under a cascade of giant feathers before riding a blazing-pink mechanical bull – a perfect twist on her famous martini glass performance! Thanks to countless photos in the press and music videos, she may seem familiar, but nothing beats seeing her live.
Dita in a flesh
The crowd roars as soon as she appears. Dita looks even better in real life – in her signature opera-length gloves and perilously high heels; hand-sewn, seamed stockings, girdles, and garter belts. Her pink costume clips away in a very sexy, stylish number, the only one of its kind in burlesque. Von Teese sells this showstopper in a way that makes it clear why she’s amassed an international following and was the very first guest star in the history of the Parisian cabaret.
Meanwhile, Tosca Rivola, Von Teese’s creative partner in crime, will cut a rose off its stem with a whip and dazzle with a hoop dance; a male performer will swing from a chandelier; and there will be a dramatic duel with guns and fire between two stunning acrobats on a revolving stage, among many other thrilling acts.
Steps’ Faye Tozer takes the lead role, perfectly mastering an American accent as Miss Kitty LeRoy, the Wild West’s most notorious card dealer. Kitty navigates a man’s world while trying her hand at taming Lady Luck herself (Dita Von Teese), perhaps in vain. Tozer also covers all-time favourite hits like Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and Lana Del Rey’s “Born to Die,” which fit seamlessly into the show.
An exhilarating performance
Overall, Diamonds and Dust maintains elements of musical theatre, cabaret, drama, and comedy. Faye Tozer’s hilarious, topical exchanges with the crowd went down a treat, especially after one or two cocktails.
Beyond its irresistible, fizzy glam, Dita Von Teese’s show is ideally scheduled so you can plan a whole evening around it. Unlike other shows starting at 7pm (forcing you to eat either too early or too late), guests attending the Emerald Theatre can enjoy a three-course dinner right next to where they seats before and during the show, with dessert served during the interval. And if the night still feels young afterward, there’s entertainment to carry on the party.
Pure theatrical magic
Witnessing so many teases allows the audience to appreciate how much of an art form burlesque really is. In an era where nudity is only a click away, Von Teese’s extravagance is less about how much flesh is on display and more about dazzling choreography, extraordinary flexibility, and spectacle. More than that, this 52-year-old femme fatale sends a powerful message to young women: you can be sexy and classy at the same time – and age is just a number.
Diamonds and Dust is on until September 28, 2025, at The Emerald Theatre, London.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
Image credits: © Diamonds and Dust, Chris Davis Studio
