BWW Reviews: PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, Edinburgh Playhouse, March 4 2013
During the standard photography and mobile phone announcement at the beginning of the show, there was an additional message for audience members to place any large wigs under the seat in front. This show had the audience laughing before the curtain even went up and this continued until the end.
Based on the 1994 film of the same name, the story follows three drag queens from Sydney on their journey through the desert to perform a four week show in Alice Springs. Their method of transport is a converted bus which is christened "Priscilla".
The musical numbers are well known and incredibly catchy. There is never a dull moment, between the witty dialogue and the almost over the top costumes. To describe the wigs and costumes as 'spectacular' does not quite do them justice, they really have to be seen to be believed.
Opening night in Edinburgh did not go without a hitch and the performance had to be stopped briefly during the second half. However, the slight technical glitch was well handled by both the cast and the venue and the show resumed to massive applause.
Jason Donovan has reprised the leading role of Tick and was absolutely fantastic. The same must also be said of Richard Grieve as post-op transexual Bernadette. for However it was Graham Weaver who absolutely stole the show in the role of Adam/Felicia, the newest and youngest member of their act.
The audience genuinely cares for all of the characters and the soundtrack only adds to what is a very touching storyline. For a show that is such a visual extravaganza some might suspect that it is lacking in heart but thankfully this is not the case for Priscilla.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is on tour around the UK.
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