Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

Waterside Theatre has become Alice Springs this week as PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, rides into Aylesbury.  Based on the Oscar-winning ground breaking film, the musical is back with a dazzling, brand new 30th anniversary tour production.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert follows the journey of two drag queens, Tick and Adam, and a transgender woman, Bernadette, as they travel across Australia in their bus, named Priscilla.  Tick has been asked to perform in Alice Springs.  Taking Adam and Bernadette along with him, this road trip show means they share more than friendship.

This show is better than the film and than any other version of Priscilla I have ever seen.  It’s absolutely stunning, camp, colourful, queer and a celebration for friendship which is much needed in these difficult times we live in.  It was a breath of fresh air.  I loved the pace of the show, the hi energy delivery of the songs and the fun.

Tick aka Mitzi is quite shy out of drag. He wants to meet his son but is worried his son won’t accept him for who he is. Kevin Clifton plays Tick who is most famous for being on Strictly, his talents go way beyond dancing.  This role really shows off all his skills and I especially loved him performing Macarthur Park (someone left the cake out in the rain) – and its so lovely to see him dance again.  Kevin was very believable as Tick and is most definitely a triple theat.

Adèle Anderson plays Bernadette, with her class and experience, she doesn’t have time to deal with the younger drag queens, but Adele plays Bernadette with compassionate and demonstrates her quick wit being able to get out of tricky situations with her wicked tongue.  Adele is the best Bernadette I have ever seen!

Nick Hayes as Felicia/Adam, and he has a very flamboyant lifestyle of a young drag queen.  However, he is shaken when he experiences some nasty homophobic violence.  Nick is absolutely fabulous in the role.  He certainly brings the camp and that iconic scene of Felicia singing opera out the top of Priscilla is breath-taking.  

This musical extravaganza is packed with an iconic soundtrack full of your favourite 80s and 90s disco anthems, including; Hot Stuff, It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Finally, Shake Your Groove Thing and Go West. And I will never hear Pop Muzik in the same way again!

The whole ensemble are outstanding with some absolutely phenomenal choreography and I want to give a special shout out to the three glittery backing singers who were magnificent.

This show is unapologetically camp and there are some really funny moments.  I loved Felicia’s dream of singing Kylie songs on Ayres rock in full drag.  He is a cock on a rock in a frock!  I loved at the cockatoo club that they break the fourth wall and we the audience are at the club watching the performers.  And I do need to mention the Macarthur Park scene once more as it was joyous.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is flamboyant, fabulous and fun and at Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until 9 May. Be your fabulous self!