Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 18th November 2013
Two drag queens and a transsexual embark on a journey across the remote Australian desert... what could possibly go wrong? Following a hugely successful West End run, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is currently touring the UK and continuing to sell out night after night. Before the show had even begun the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was buzzing, packed with ladies strutting around with bright pink feather boas and clutching a glass of wine.
One of the first lines in the show is "Hello ladies and... well - hello ladies" which was very true, I have never seen the men’s toilets so empty during an interval. However, I think most of the men who had been dragged along by their wives secretly enjoyed the musical, they will certainly never forget the experience. Priscilla is probably one of the most memorable shows I have ever seen, I can't compare it to anything else.
From what I hear the design has been scaled down for this touring version. But, as this was my first time seeing the show, I can't make any comparisons. While the design isn't particularly tremendous is does its job and you don't miss what you don't know. The score is packed with guilty pleasures, including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife.
The three leads, Jason Donovan, Richard Grieve and Graham Weaver, have all previously appeared in the West End production and have fantastic on-stage chemistry, although I will never be able to look at Jason Donovan in the same way ever again! The cast are mostly strong; I particularly loved the three divas who descend from the sky throughout the show, showcasing powerhouse vocals.
Tim Chappel must have had an absolute field day designing the most outrageous costumes to have ever been seen on stage. Just when you think the hair can't get any bigger, the eyelashes can't get any longer and the dresses can't get any more colourful... they do. The costumes are insane - if I watched the show in mute I would have found it equally as engaging as most of the time I couldn't even take in what the cast were saying or doing as I was left utterly speechless by the costumes.
Priscilla is nothing but pure escapism. If you want to forget about everything for a few hours and are up for a good laugh then there is no better touring show at the moment than Priscilla Queen of the Desert. You will remember the adventure for the rest of your life.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
Priscilla Queen of the Desert runs at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Saturday 23rd November 2013. The tour visits the Milton Keynes Theatre between 20th - 25th January 2014 and the New Wimbledon Theatre between 10th - 15th March 2014.
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