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Priscilla Queen of the Desert opened at Manchester’s Palace Theatre last night and was packed with glitter, fabulous costumes and sassiness. The touring show continues it's run at The Palace until 30th November when it then continues across the UK.
When 'The adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert' opened in cinemas 25 years ago, the quirky camp and fabulous film was a huge hit. This stage adaption produced by Mark Goucher in collaboration with Jason Donovan successfully brings all the sassiness you expect to the live stage but at the same time doesn’t fail to keep the powerful message of acceptance that still resonates all these years later. Goucher states ’Priscilla is more than just a show that makes the audience laugh and cry, it’s about tolerance and accepting of others for what they are without question (…) Our society has to keep fighting not only for our own rights but for the right of others who are not as lucky and live in fear and risk of physical violence. We must shout the message of Priscilla as loud as we can’.
The show starts with a spectacular disco anthem which has you singing and clapping along from the very beginning whilst you are dazzled by the spectacular glitter, feathers and costumes and of course the fabulous drag hostess, Miss Understanding (Kevin Yates) who has you howling with laughter. This opening sets the perfect tone as we get ready to follow the journey of Tick (Joe McFadden), Adam (Nick Hayes) and Bernadette (Miles Western) and of course their very temperamental tour bus!
Tick is played by Strictly Come Dancing winner and Holby City star Joe McFadden who brings a cheeky charming persona to the character who goes on a journey of his own as he steps up to becoming a father to his son who now lives in Alice Springs, he brings along two old friends for the ride promising them a comeback show at the Alice Springs Casino.
In recent years the drag culture has entered a new stage and has successfully brought the fabulous, colourful and catty world of drag to popular culture- something we can thank RuPaul for! Where the original production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert was well ahead of it’s time was in the prominence of a trans character, Bernadette and despite the blooming of drag shows in recent years we are still yet to see many prominent trans narratives on stage. In this production Bernadette (Miles Western) is presented perfectly with every comedic line delivered with wit and the vocals consistently on point and her surprise yet sincere romance with Bob (Daniel Fletcher) is a delight to watch unfold!
The character of Adam / Felicia played spectacularly by Nick Hayes (and his absolutely amazing legs!) provides the sassiest persona of all but don’t be fooled as this character doesn’t come without his own challenges. His character represents the unprovoked abuse and homophobia members of the LGBTQ community receive that can only be overcome through commendable strength and true friendship (warning you may well need a tissue!)
The Musical arrangement by Simon Phillips is absolutely packed with sassy renditions of pop anthems including ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’, ‘It’s Raining Men, ‘Colour My World’ and ‘I Will Survive’, all enthusiastically performed, mostly the by trio of divas (Aiesha Pease, Rosie Glossop and Claudia Kariuki) who bring sensational, top class vocals and their fair share of glittery costume changes! Charles Cusick-Smith and Phil R Daniels' set design has a clever take on the van Priscilla that opens out into multi-use section and of course the all important costumes are full sequins, feathers and tassels!
This heart-warming show of acceptance, courage and of course plenty of sass brought the whole theatre to their feet in a very well-deserved standing ovation!
