Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was originally a 1994 film starring the sublime Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce. Some years later it was converted into a stage musical, and it is one of the campest but fun musicals around. Sale Nomads have this year brought it to Waterside Arts for a four-day run.
The plot takes two drag queens and a transgender woman as they travel together across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs to perform at a resort there. One of the drag queens, Tick, has a more important reason for organising the trip. The resort is run by his wife and the six-year-old son he has never met is there. Buying an old bus they name Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, their journey is an experience of rejection, acceptance and friendship.
Priscilla is a huge show for any company, amateur or professional, to produce, needing a live band, hundreds of costume changes and unlimited talent. Director Richard Ross has not taken the easy way out as the Nomad’s production is a full on glitter fest of fun. From sparkly start to the glitzy end the show never pauses and takes your breath away with the energy being produced on the stage.
John Harrison as Tick/Mitzi is magnetic to watch. The most ‘masculine’ of the three, he goes from a more subtle emotion to full on queen with seemingly no effort. His scenes with his son are beautifully tender but he is just as convincing in a dress, heels and wig. He also has a great voice and carries the majority of his numbers with skill.
Steven Cheeseman as his fellow drag queen Adam/Felicia matches well with his companion. Another stunning voice and a magnificently over the top performance, there is still a subtlety in the character which gives the audience an empathy for the brash, idiosyncratic man.
The third member of the party is Marcus Bowen’s Bernadette. In some ways this is a more difficult role as Bernadette is older, wearier and much less flamboyant while retaining that style. Marcus Bowen does an excellent job in the role and while less extravagant is never outshone.
The three Divas – Laura Armenia, Sarah Clark and Elizabeth Roberts – all have outstanding voices and carry many of the musical numbers. They have spectacular costumes as well. Credit must also go to the incredible and hard working ensemble cast who sing, dance, swap between characters and wear even more outrageous outfits than the drag queens. There has to be a special mention for young Arlo Yates as Benji, Tick’s son. Hearts were won and melted by his cute but very competent performance.
The eight-piece band led by Musical Director Ceri Graves were excellent, as was the whole musical direction side of the show.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is one of the best jukebox musicals around, loud, proud and flashy. It is also a truly feel-good show. Sale Nomads have taken it, run with it and smashed it out the park. The show runs till Saturday which gives you time to get to Sale for one of the most entertaining night’s out you could have.
Reviewer: Helen Jones
Reviewed: 7th May 2025
North West End UK Rating: