Priscilla Queen of the Desert – King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Writers: Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott

Director: Ian Talbot

It’s been a while since the Priscilla bus has rolled into town and fans will be pleased to know that it’s back for a 30^th anniversary tour. It’s still chock full of feathers, sequins and fabulousness and the spirit of the original is alive and well in this uplifting new production.

Adapted from Stephan Elliott’s ground-breaking, Oscar-winning, 1994  film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical tells the story of two drag queens and their transgender pal, who get together to honour a booking in Alice Springs, a booking that also involves re-uniting Tick with his estranged son. As they head from Sydney across the Outback aboard their bus Priscilla, the three friends meet a weird and wonderful cast of characters, encounter homophobia, transphobia and eventually find happiness in the most unexpected places.

The cast are ably led by Fascinating Aïda icon Adèle Anderson (Bernadette), whose seasoned cabaret skills bring a touch of class to the proceedings. Strictly champion Kevin Clifton (Tick/Mitzi) and Nick Hayes (Adam/Felicia), keep the energy levels high and the camp spectacular alive. The vocals are on point, as are the Aussie accents which are kept up even through the song vocals. That the trio have built an engaging chemistry so early in the run is admirable and it transmits effectively to the audience.

Pop bangers like Don’t Leave Me This Way, Finally, Hot stuff, I Love the Nightlife and I Will Survive (to name a few of the eye-watering number of tunes) are belted out with gusto by the trio of Divas: Leah Vassell, Bernadette Banguro and Jessie May for the drag queen’s to lip synch to. Clifton and Hayes also have opportunities to showcase their own impressive live vocals.

Visually there is a lot to live up to, from the original Oscar-winning costumes to the multiple colourful locations. The outrageous costumes, designed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Vicky Gill, are an eye-popping delight. The set design is spare, Priscilla transforms from bus to bar to casino, more functional at times than truly fabulous but effective nonetheless. What the production lacks in lavish set design it more than makes up for in its large and hugely gifted cast. There is talent oozing from every centimetre of the stage. From the trio of leads, the vocally gifted Divas to each and every ensemble member they are an utter delight.

For all the surface glitz and glamour and the camp tunes, there is real depth here that undoubtedly accounts for its enduring success. Each characters’ back story is fully explored to the extent that we feel their every agony and genuinely root for them.

Paving the way nicely for the up-coming film sequel, Priscilla remains a show to lift the spirits, a joyous story of life in all its messy, relatable glory.

Runs until 7 March 2026 | Image: Johan Persson