Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical

The gorgeously decorated treat that is Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical has definitely not been ‘left out in the rain’ like the cake in the lyrics of one of its songs. This is a perfect, unspoiled confection of glitz, glamour, music, moments of poignancy and large servings of feel-good fun. Adelaide’s opening night audience consumed the delicious offering with relish and gave it a well-deserved standing ovation.

Adapted from the iconic 1994 movie, this stage production does a great job of capturing the long-haul trek by two drag queens and a lonely transsexual in their battered bus Priscilla to Australia’s desert heart on a quest to find themselves, meet family and seek love.

Olivier and Tony award-nominated Tony Sheldon featured in the original production as transgender lonely heart, Bernadette and he still shines in the same role as this production’s standout performer. His nuanced interpretation of the character showcases much of the sadness and rejection suffered by all those in the onstage and real offstage world that Bernadette and others inhabit, but also captures the fun, warmth, wisdom and humanity of the person behind the frocks and glitter.

Highly credentialed David Harris is very fine as Tick, who is on his own private journey to meet up with a young son he hasn’t seen, while being conflicted about the impact his unusual persona might have on the little boy’s perception of him as a father. There are moments of much poignancy in his performance, as well as joy and fun. This is an excellent performance as Tick, augmented by the innocence and love of that character’s little boy, played beautifully on opening night by Will Fleming.

Back in his home state of South Australia for this show, Euan Doidge is all spunk, bronzed six-pack and fiery sexuality as flamboyant drag queen Felicia. His performance is terrific and reflects the overall glitz of the show.

Special mention for fine performances go to Robert Grubb’s understated and superb performance as Bob the mechanic and Lena Cruz (including her skill with ping pong balls; hilarious) as Bob’s wife Cynthia.

There are many other very good performances across the featured cast and the chorus, with the Divas (Cle Morgan, Angelique Cassimatis and Samm Hagen) a highlight, both visually and vocally. The various outback characters are also an utter delight.

The musical numbers are a highlight of this show, with songs such as ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Love the Nightlife', 'Color My World’, ‘I Will Survive’, ‘MacArthur Park’ (cake out in the rain song), ‘Always on my Mind’, ‘I Will Survive’ and many more lifting the rafters of the Festival Theatre.

Visually and in all technical aspects the production, directed by Simon Phillips, is stunning.  Production designer Brian Thomson’s bus dominates the set in such a way that Priscilla becomes a character in ‘her’ own right. Tim Chappel’s and Lizzy Gardiner’s costumes are stupendous, Andrew Hallsworth’s and Ross Coleman’s choreography is effusive, Michael Waters’ original sound design is excellent, Nick Schlieper’s lighting design (particularly in bus effects) is strong and the influence of Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Stephen Gray on the wide-ranging musical numbers is very fine.

Even if you have to find your own clapped out bus and make an Outback trek to get there, be sure you see Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical. It’s a fantastic night of feathers and fun.

Lesley Reed