Diamonds and Dust at Emerald Theatre Review

By Jude

Ready for a sassy, sexy Western burlesque? Then don’t hesitate to head down to the newly opened Emerald Theatre at Embankment for Diamonds and Dust.

Miss Kitty Leroy (Faye Tozer) leads the charge, taking you on a wild ride through her spicy past as a burlesque dancer, featuring acts of dance, whip work, fire performance, hoop, aerial artistry, and more. Along the way, she runs into Lady Luck, played (on select dates) by none other than the headliner and 'Queen of Burlesque' herself, Dita Von Teese, who is renowned for re-popularising the sultry art form.

Faye Tozer gives a standout performance, carrying the show as narrator. A true triple threat, she acts, sings, and dances her way through the evening as the enchanting Kitty Leroy. It’s in numbers like the Kylie Minogue track Midnight Ride that she fully displays her range, reminding audiences exactly why she’s a legendary star. As for the headliner, some may be surprised by how little Dita Von Teese appears in the show. She only features in two numbers, but as both director and choreographer, it’s clear she’s championing other dancers and giving them a larger platform to shine, which is refreshing to see.

The featured ensemble will have your jaw on the saloon floor. Tosca Tozer, as The Gold Digger, wows with a whip-cracking act and a hoop routine that puts childhood hula hoop dreams to shame. Candace Cane, playing The Good, enchants with gravity-defying Western aerial performances that are as empowering as they are graceful.

Diamonds and Dust transports its audience straight to the Wild West. From the moment you step inside, you’re immersed in a steamy saloon, complete with live music and an ominous, exciting sense that anything could happen. The immersiveness of the show is truly a spectacle to behold. Set and lighting design by Philip Gladwell completely transform the theatre into another world. It is glamorous and mysterious all at once.

If you’re up for a luxurious night out, the venue also offers a dining package featuring a farm-to-table three-course meal before the show. You might even find yourself interacting with characters mid-performance. And don’t rush off after curtain call. On select nights, the saloon turns into a speakeasy with a DJ and live singers to keep the party going.

Jenny Packham’s costume design is seductive and dazzling, with looks that will surely have everyone in the audience dreaming of slipping into those fantasy-world outfits themselves.

The storyline is arguably the weakest link. It lacks substance or nuance and serves more as a loose thread to tie the acts together. But that’s easily forgiven thanks to the sheer charm radiating from Faye Tozer as Kitty and the immense talent of the burlesque and cirque performers. Even without a dramatic hook at the interval, the beauty, spectacle, and sensuality of the art form is more than enough to keep you wanting more.

Diamonds and Dust is a spectacle that makes you want to grab your cowboy boots, saddle up, and dance the night away. It’s currently booking until September 2025, so grab your tickets quick.

Note: This show is 18+ due to adult themes and partial nudity. Saturday matinees are 16+.

4 stars