REVIEW: Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Alison Carr reports back from a joyful night at the theatre
The film Priscilla Queen of the Desert broke ground when it came out in the mid 1990s, putting funny, flawed and complex gay and transgender characters front and centre and positively portraying queerness of all kinds.
It won an Oscar, and 10+ years later Allan Scott and the film’s writer Stephen Elliott adapted it into a jukebox musical.
And now “budget Barbie campervan” Priscilla is back out on the road!
The story follows three performers travelling across the Australian outback to get to a casino residency in Alice Springs.
Along the way they make various stops and encounter eccentric locals, including lovable mechanic Bob (Blue Peter’s Peter Duncan) and his ping-pong ball loving wife Cynthia (Isabella Glanznig Santos).
The trio face prejudice and abuse, and also acceptance, and are never more than a couple of stops away from belting out an 80s disco classic or a 90s dance anthem.
Fascinating Aida’s Adele Anderson stars as spikey Bernadette, alongside Kevin Clifton as anxious Tick/Mitzi, and Fionan O’Carroll as flamboyant Felicia/Adam.
Each are navigating their own journeys alongside their literal journey. Bernadette is opening her heart to giving love another (another) chance, Mitzi is nervous about meeting his son for the first time, and Felicia dreams of performing a Kylie medley atop Ayres Rock.
The chemistry between these three really grounds the story, each finding the heart amongst all of the rhinestones but never taking away from the fun. And shout out to O’Carroll (understudy on the night I saw the show) who was fantastic as Felicia, with just the right balance of cattiness and vulnerability.
The high-octane numbers come thick and fast, including hits by Bananarama, The Pet Shop Boys, Cyndi Lauper and Donna Summer.
Leah Vassell, Bernadette Bangura and Jessie May as The Divas (a sort of lilac-wigged Greek chorus) bring dynamic vocals, with choreography by Matt Cole for the talented, relentlessly energetic ensemble.
Special mention also to Vicky Gill’s costumes, each one bigger and brighter than the last.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a sequinned-encrusted good time, bursting with fun and joyously celebrating friendship, resilience, identity, and being true to yourself.
The production is at Newcastle Theatre Royal until April 11. Visit the website for tickets.