The chosen one _{by Madelaine Empson}

Star Wars: an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, otherwise known as a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Star Trek: an American sci-fi media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, otherwise known as a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Do the two have beef?

They do now.

Caburlesque: Star Wars vs Star Trek will see a lineup of stars trek through both universes, starting wars with burlesque, pole, cabaret, and belly dance acts to determine who will be the chosen one and the top wookiee of space travel.

As a long-time nerd and Trekker with a burning passion for sci-fi, “that's like the best theme I could ask for from a show”, Elisa [pictured] beams. “From cheeky campy 60s galore – sexy aliens, science paradoxes, funny creatures – to epic battles, iconic music, deep philosophical questions, and even a recognised official religion, the two sagas are the core of my cultural references and an almost infinite well of inspiration for new routines.”

Joining Elisa onstage will be “sci-fi geek since childhood” Pip E-Lysaah; Anglebert Humpermink, who “loves the fact that both of these franchises go way back and keep getting reinvented just like performers”; JoJo Bellini, who calls Star Wars vs Star Trek “the ultimate in geekdom” and exclaims “what is not to like”; and more (inter)stellar performers like Ana Ci, Natasha Ploy, Victor Victorious, and Lady Sane, who has found “so much to play with theatrically” in exploring this theme.

“Sci-fi gives permission to go larger than life, and that’s where I thrive as a performer.”

Hop onboard the USS Enterprise with MC Sadie von Scrumptious in the captain’s seat on Saturday the 7^th of February. Destination: The Fringe Bar, Wellington, A Galaxy Far, Far Away.