Review Summary
Average Rating:
5 out of 5 stars based on
2
review(s)
Latest Review:
"Have seen it twice within the last 10 days and I LOVE IT, LOVE IT LOVE IT, am planning the next 3 months's Saturdays to see how ma..."
London features some of the most famous musicals in the world, from the long running “Les Miserables” and “The Phantom of the Opera” to an ever-revolving door of high profile shows like “Oliver” and “Hairspray”. Amongst these gems is the Australian musical “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, which continues its Laurence Olivier Award-winning run at the Palace Theatre. It has been making a huge impression since it first opened its doors in March 2009 and whilst some of these draws – names like Jason Donovan – come and go, the compelling story that delights audiences has remained firmly in place.
But then, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” was always destined for great things, with an inspired mixture of colourful costumes, memorable characters, stand-out songs and big name talents coming together to form something truly special. So when the original production opened its doors in Sydney in 2006 it would be inevitable that it would go on to West End audience and critical success.
Originally, audiences who were first introduced to the story took the forms of cinema-goers in the early 1990s as the movie “The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert” made it to screens. It starred some well known Australian actors and picked up an award itself before it finished its run and clearly left enough of an impression to pave the way for a stage musical.
Which brings us back to the Palace Theatre, where Tick, Bernadette and Bob embark on their spectacular adventure across the Australian outback. The story follows the group as they decide to take their popular drag act out of its comfort zone amongst the bright lights and strange personalities of Sydney and perform it in a casino in Alice Springs. At this point they are unaware that this challenge will lead to some lasting memories as they form romances and friendships whilst seeing their wildest dreams come to fruition. But to get across the Australian outback they are going to need a method of transport and this takes the form of a tatty old bus they call Priscilla.
But if this story isn’t enough, then the songs that make it into the show are likely to change your mind. They take the form of a chart classics, with examples such as “Shake Your Groove Thing”, “I Love the Nightlife”, “Downtown”, “I Will Survive”, Don’t Leave Me This Way”, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and “Colour This World”.
The show has proven to be a worthy production to stand up alongside the likes of Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and more recent hits like Mamma Mia! and Billy Elliot and this is why audiences can expect Priscilla Queen of the Desert to remain in the West End for some time to come. So make sure you catch it as it continues its run at the Palace Theatre in London.
