So, at long last, I got ‘round to seeing ‘Priscilla’ onstage. And boy am I glad I did! It is precisely the kind of show that is needed in these gloomy times where one enters the theatre and forgets about every trifle that the real world can throw at you.
The plot is pretty much that of the film - Sydney drag queen recruits two other performers for road trip for a performance engagement in Alice Springs with a few surprises along the way – though the staging is overtly theatrical and heightened but, even in the most ‘straight’ of scenes, never fails to capture the audience. Underlying all the camp, glitter and fun is a story about friendship, love and ‘coming of age’.
The production has an engaging concept with the show being a huge, elaborate, drag show that exudes an energy that grabs you from the opening announcement and glitter ball and refuses to let go until long after the curtain falls. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled and laughed as consistently as I did in the Palace theatre watching this show. The show is almost pure joy and happiness.
The cast were brilliant with Tristan Temple as ‘Miss Understanding’ setting the standard for the evening with her ebullient performance and quick asides. Oliver Thornton clearly relished his once-in-a-lifetime role as ‘Felicia’ and Don Gallagher was equally at home as ‘Bernadette’ and, whilst I was initially disappointed that there were several understudies on during the performance (Lucy Newton as 'Diva', Olivia Phillip as 'Shirley', Newley Aucutt as 'Tick/Mitzi' and Tristan Temple as 'Miss Understanding'), Newley Auckett , in place of Richard Grieve (who I would love to have seen), was a very sincere and truthful ‘Mitzi’ and not one cast member could be seen as a weak link and the ‘Divas’ were certainly guilty of being fabulous in all respects. Ray Meagher was also perfect as ‘Bob’ and was welcomed on almost all his entrances by cheers from the audience. The entire cast was almost upstaged, however, by the appearance of a little boy in a kangaroo suit in the finale where the large feet caused him to waddle about the stage in the most adorable and cute way. Awww indeed.
I cannot understand how this show can be closing though, evidently, it must be declining from the producer’s point of view. All I can hope is that it has a life in the UK beyond the West End with, hopefully, a tour at some point to further spread joy. In the meantime, if you can, go and see it!
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