Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical
Adelaide Festival Centre, until September 15
Review by Honey B
After colourfully touring the country, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical made its much-anticipated stop in
Adelaide this week (August 24).
It’s the 10
th
anniversary of this international boundary-pushing show which celebrates sexual diversity with a
message of universal love and understanding for all.
The storyline stays true to Stephan Elliott’s original 1994 award-winning movie of the same name and follows
three drag queens as they leave the big smoke of Sydney to travel west to Alice Springs.
The joyous ride across the outback sees leading ladies Bernadette (Tony Sheldon), Tick/Mitzi (David Harris) and
Felicia/Adam (Euan Doidge) board a dilapidated Greyhound bus for the ride of their lives.
The relationship between
these three diverse
characters drives the
production as their
constant banter and
jokes takes them from
friends to family as they
deliver Tick to his wife
and six year old son,
Benji.
Directed by Simon
Phillips this musical is
absolutely spectacular
with Priscilla the bus a
highlight of the
production with her
decked out interior and
snazzy LED pink lights.
Tony Sheldon, who has
reprised his original role
as Bernadette, is truly
superb. He has
performed this role
almost 2000 times and
the absolute class, honesty, vulnerability and beauty he brought to the character of Bernadette was breathtaking.
David Harris was also a joy to watch as the conflicted Tick/Mitzi as he put his emotions on the line and shared the
insecurities of a gay man struggling with his identity. At times he was the flamboyant showman and then doubt
would set in as he drove closer to his wife and son.
South Australian performer Euan Doidge rounded out the fabulous threesome as the feisty, naughty and
charismatic Felicia. Doidge revelled in his Kylie Minogue-loving character and he showed his formidable acting
chops as he went snappy line-for-line with Sheldon.
Rounding out the superb ensemble cast was Robert Grubb as motor mechanic and all-round good Aussie bloke,
Bob, along with the hilarious Emma Powell as pub girl Shirley and equally funny and feisty Lena Cruz as Cynthia
who does some interesting things with ping pong balls.
A shout-out also has to go to Blake Appelqvist as the flexible diva Miss Understanding and flying high above it all
showing of their angelic vocals were the heaven sent Cle Morgan, Angelique Cassimatis and Samm Hagen.
The opening night crowd thrilled to songs including It’s Raining Men, Better The Devil You Know, I Love the
Nightlife and I Will Survive.
Tugging at the heartstrings was the boys’ rendition of True Colours, Tick’s I Say A Little Prayer and Felicia’s iconic
Kylie moment – Confide In Me.
The sparkling, marvellous costumes and soaring choreography just add to the overall spectacle of this show.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical is beautiful like a vibrant rainbow and it’s a fabulous night out for all.