Writers: Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
Director: Simon Phillips
A hallmark of Australian cinema, The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert is one of the country’s most internationally celebrated films. Since its release in 1994, the stage musical iteration has toured across the world, bringing outback drag chic to every corner of the globe. In a revamped version of Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott’s book, Priscilla the Party! brings the musical extravaganza into the immersive sphere with a new direction by Simon Phillips.
For the uninitiated, the original story, mostly unchanged for the musical, follows drag star Tick, played here by Owain Williams, who enlists two other performers, Adam( Reece Kerridge) and Bernadette ( Dakota Starr), to accompany him across the Australian desert to play an extravagant show in Alice Springs.
Personalities clash, their eponymous bus breaks down and bigotry raises its ugly head, but in the end, the three queens are changed forever. Aussie gags and references to drag history abound, all replete with an emotional core that will etch into your heart.
Priscilla the Party! takes this story and sets it entirely within the Cockatoo Club. The audience are patrons of this establishment and much is done to bridge the gap between musical theatre and a night out at the club. As you enter the space, drag performers are belting out bangers atop a moveable section of the stage and the bar is serving drinks right into the performance space.
With a dance floor ticket, you will be moved around constantly, with the stages breaking off and entering further into the audience’s domain, keeping not just the pace moving but also the space itself.
With disco balls bobbing from the ceiling, you are led by the MC Gay Cliché( Trevor Ashley), who unifies the story. A plethora of gay club classics, such as I Will Survive and Born This Way, are performed to explosive effect.
The costumes, designed by Tim Chappel and Justin Nardella, are a colossal stand-out: the mind does boggle as to how any of these actors can change so quickly from one thing to the next.
A special mention should go to the ensemble as a whole. The tight choreography and high-octane energy are so well sustained across the three acts that it is impossible to watch without a smile on your face. Delicious food and themed cocktails are on offer, making this a well-rounded experience for a stellar night out.
For a spectacular serving of musical theatre that puts the audience’s experience centre stage, Priscilla the Party! is a must-see.
Runs until 29 September 2024
