In the story, Priscilla is a battered bus – but this production of Priscilla is a juggernaut of sparkles, songs, and stunning visuals.
Thirty years on from the original film and 20 years after the musical version opened, Stephen Elliot’s tale of three drag performers crossing the Australian outback has lost none of its pizzazz.
Kevin Clifton leads the cast as Tick, whose estranged wife calls in a favour for him to perform as his alter ego Mitzi – as well as a first meeting with his grown-up son. The rub is that the venue is a casino in the heart of Oz, miles from his Sydney city life.
Together with ageing lip synch star Bernadette (played by Adèle Anderson) and young buck Felicia (Nick Hayes) he embarks on a road trip that is also a symbolic journey of discovery for the trio – with a kangaroo’s pouch stuffed full of camp classic tunes to keep them company.
This is an ever-spinning jukebox musical with bangers galore, with many subversively slotted in to the story; Don’t Leave Me This Way as a funeral song is a genius touch, and I Say A Little Prayer becomes a tale about a drag queen and their absent son.
Many of the songs are performed by ‘three divas’ – Leah Vassell, Bernadette Bangura, and Jessie May – who form a vocal powerhouse that bring hit after hit to life. They might not get top billing, but along with the live band they are the heart and soul of the show.
There is a fun cameo from ex-Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan as mechanic Bob, and Sario Solomon punched above their weight on Norwich’s opening night as a stand-in Miss Understanding.
There are surreal, touching, and outrageous moments, and a bucketload of killer tunes, in a fantastically enjoyable show. You couldn’t stop this juggernaut – and why would you want to?
- Priscilla Queen of The Desert continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 4 April 2026, tickets £18-£58. Touring nationally.
