Grab your feather boas, one of Australia’s most successful homegrown musicals Priscilla Queen of the Desert is shaking its groove thing in Brisbane. Full of colour and life, the production is a reimagining of the iconic movie, with extra layers of extravagance and glamour.
The story traverses the country, as three friends travel from Sydney to Alice Springs aboard a bus, en route to perform the biggest show of their lives. Not an easy journey, the trio encounter several bumps—both physical and metaphorical—in the road. Opening the show at The Cockatoo Club is Miss Understanding (Blake Appelqvist). Larger than life, her sharp wit and electric stage presence fills the theatre. Late comers beware, she has no patience for tardiness and you will be singled out.
To choose a standout in the cast is difficult. Returning home from Broadway to reprise the role he created in the Australian premiere production, Tony and Olivier nominated actor Tony Sheldon is back in the driver seat as Bernadette. David Harris and Euan Doidge as Tick and Felicia match Sheldon’s prowess, resulting in perfect stage chemistry. Equal measures of passion, tension, love and distrust are shared by the characters throughout the musical and these are all conveyed with compelling sincerity.
Bob the bush mechanic is also played by a familiar face, with Ray Meagher (Home and Away’s Alf Stewart) reprising the role he played in the original production in Sydney in 2007, in London’s West End and in New Zealand. He suits the role well, his rough edges providing a juxtaposition to the glamour of the travelling trio.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for audience members is to refrain from singing along. Hit after hit is performed by The Divas, the three leads and the larger ensemble. Each song is expertly executed with polished dancing to match. Special mention must be made of the costumes. Intricate and inventive, it is hard to know if they were more fun to design and make or to wear.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is now playing at the Lyric Theatre QPAC until 4 November.
Readers also enjoyed our Socials from Priscilla’s Opening Night.
