Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - Review

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Tue 20 Sep 2022 - Sat 24 Sep 2022

She's been around for nearly 30 years, but this particular 'lady' is clearly not ready to put away her stilettos and sequins on the basis of this splendid show. Lichfield Operatic Society has successfully captured the sheer fun, glamour and excitement of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the musical, which opened at Lichfield Garrick theatre on September 20. This non-stop musical extravaganza, which premiered in Sydney, Australia, in 2006, is adapted from the hit 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The hit movie followed two drag queens and a transgender woman as they travelled across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus they named "Priscilla". It starred Terence Stamp as trans woman Bernadette, Guy Pearce as Adam/Felicia, and Hugo Weaving as Tick/Mitzi, a role later taken up by Aussie pop legend Jason Donovan in the stage musical.



But it is testament to the cast from Lichfield Operatic Society that they prove well up to the task, with Pete Beck, Adam Gregory and Patrick Jervis all comparing favourably with their illustrious past counterparts from stage and screen. Pete, in particular, is outstanding as former 'Les Girls' star Bernadette who is persuaded by Tick to leave Sydney for a road trip into the central desert of Australia to play at his wife's casino in Alice Springs. There are also excellent performances from Patrick and Adam as drag queens Tick/Mitzi and Adam/Felicia as they all encounter prejudice and distrust as well as miles of sand along the way.



Throughout the show there is an amazing soundtrack of fabulous, mainly dance-floor classics, that help stitch the storyline together. The production is equally indebted to 'divas' Chelsea Regan, Lauren Orgill and Vanessa Blake who demonstrate excellent vocal talents, starting with the opening number "It's Raining Men" and continuing a high standard throughout. Other showstopping numbers, too many to mention them all, include "I Say a Little Prayer", "Go West", "I Will Survive", and "Boogie Wonderland", while the tempo is occasionally turned down on songs such as "True Colours", "Always on My Mind" and a particularly poignant "MacArthur Park". The show, which combines the behind-he-scenes talents of director James Pugh, choreographer Charlotte Jervis and musical director David Easto, also boasts a fabulous set of costumes, not least the separate paintbrush and cupcake outfits worn by the enthusiastic and energetic ensemble.



[i]Priscilla, Queen of the Desert[/i] the musical continues at the Lichfield Garrick until September 24. Tickets priced from £20 are available from www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling the Box Office on 01543 412121.

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!date 20/09/2022 -- 24/09/2022
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