The Last Showgirl: Is Le Razzle Dazzle a Real Show in Las Vegas?

‘The Last Showgirl’ is an intimate examination of a fading showgirl’s career named Shelly Gardner following the cancellation of her revue show ‘Le Razzle Dazzle.’ The film centers on her personal struggles as she tries to navigate her uncertain future, with the end of her longstanding show looming over the horizon. Problems arise when Shelly begins to notice her younger colleagues moving towards the more modern shows cropping up over town. However, their risque material puts her off, which clashes with her classical training. The movie captures Las Vegas, Nevada’s glitz, glamor, and iconography through the sparkly shows presented at ‘Le Razzle Dazzle.’ The revue plays a prominent role throughout the narrative, setting the protagonist on a personal journey of rediscovering her identity.

Le Razzle Dazzle is a Fictional Show With Concrete Ties to Reality

‘Le Razzle Dazzle’ in ‘The Last Showgirl’ is a fictional show crafted by scriptwriter Kate Gersten. The movie is based on Gersten’s unproduced play ‘Body of Work,’ which itself is inspired by the writer’s visits to the Las Vegas strip-based revue ‘Jubilee!’ As such, ‘Le Razzle Dazzle’ is a fictional representation of the renowned resident show that was closed down in 2016. It originally premiered on July 31, 1981, with Donn Arden serving as producer. Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee designed the costumes. Gersten wrote the script for her play after visiting the show right before it shut down. It inspired her to write a story that reflected the brutal nature of the entertainment industry, especially when discussing aging as a female artist.

In the movie, Shelly faces a huge life crisis after realizing that ‘Le Razzle Dazzle’ is being canceled in two weeks’ time after a 30-year-long run. ‘Jubilee!’ ran for a similar timespan, albeit slightly longer. It was initially hosted at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, which was later renamed the Horseshoe Las Vegas. Intriguingly, the show’s longest-serving dancer was Linda Green, with 23 years on the stage, which began on opening night, loosely resembling Shelly’s career length. Gersten wanted to showcase the clash between old and new by centering the story on a long-running show with a fading star at its center. Like Shelly herself, ‘Le Razzle Dazzle’ becomes increasingly obsolete in the narrative as people’s tastes and demands change.

The bulk of Shelly’s inner conflicts stem from her attachment to the revue for large chunks of her life. She devoted years and years to the stage, even sacrificing her personal life for her art. However, the same obsession and passion begin to haunt her as she reaches the twilight of her career, and society and the industry begin to push her out of the business. This process is set in motion with the cancellation of ‘Le Razzle Dazzle,’ which is the final straw in a series of events that confirm her fears of becoming a figure in the rearview mirror. Meanwhile, to add salt to her wounds, her younger colleagues are prepared to make the shift to other shows while her circumstances hold her back. The tragic reality of her situation is enhanced further through the revue, which, despite its fictional creation, plays an integral part in informing the narrative.