Diamonds and Dust
Burlesque royalty Dita Von Teese returns to the West End with Diamonds and Dust, a magical fever dream of a show that fuses vintage glamour with the desert mystique of the wild wild west.
Performed at the newly refurbished Emerald Theatre, this is not just a striptease it's an art installation in motion, dipped in rhinestones and wrapped in velvet.
Inspired by the faded elegance of a 1940s Hollywood western crossed with a surreal mirage, Diamonds and Dust is as much theatre as it is burlesque. This is Von Teese at her most ambitious. Stepping far beyond the boundaries of classic tease, she conjures a world where the desert hums with secrets, the saloons sparkle with sapphires, and every glance holds a whisper of danger.
From the moment you walk in to this jewel box of a theatre you are transported in to the glamourous and rustic era. The story loosely follows Kitty LeRoy's rise as a poker-playing, gun-wielding outlaw in a world ruled by rough men and cruel fate. But the narrative is smoke in the wind. What matters here is sensation: dust rising under spotlight beams, the twitch of garters, whip cracks timed to cymbal crashes. It’s Moulin Rouge meets Deadwood via Cirque du Soleil.
Von Teese remains an unmatched performer, regal, precise, and impossibly controlled, even when suspended 6ft in the air. By the time the first glove hits the stage, the audience is already under her spell, her signature poise is untouchable, her presence magnetic. If for no other reason you buy the ticket just to see Von Teese, it's worth it. Von Teese doesn’t need stage time, she owns time. Appearing as Lady Luck, her presence fractures the linear plot like a Tarot card shuffled mid deck and pulled out with gold teeth. Dita doesn't act. She manifests. She leaves glitter trails for the cast to catch like fireflies.
Faye Tozer As Miss Kitty LeRoy, steps out from the pop spotlight (of Steps fame) and into cowboy boots with surprising grit. She delivers narration with a velvet rasp and plenty of charm, channeling Kitty as both myth and mortal. While her spoken delivery is more polished than poignant, Tozer doesn't just hold the stage, she holds it with defiant grace and is a great leading lady.
Tosca Rivola is the show's kinetic engine. Her cyr wheel solo is a genuine “pause the world” moment. From saloon siren to desert ghost, she conjures mood with every spin. This pint sized diva is a force to be reckoned with and Rivola is living proof that if you put the work in you get the results!
Diamonds and Dust is more than a solo showcase it's a lush ensemble piece. What sets this show apart is it's commitment to story telling. There's a loose narrative threading through the acts: seeking fortune and freedom, encountering ghostly cowboys, outlaw showgirls and semi clad bad boys. Diamonds and Dust is not just burlesque, it’s ritual that ticks every box.
This show was reviewed on the 3rd July 2025 at The Emerald Theatre, London where it runs until the 28th September 2025. For tickets visit: Dita Von Teese presents DIAMONDS AND DUST | Emerald Theatre London
Review written by Sam Sadler
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Photo credit : Chris Davis Studio
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