Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, based on the similarly titled movie, has been a firm fan favourite since it premiered in Australia in 2006, coming to the West End just three years later. Now, along with some of the original creative team, including director Simon Phillips, a new version of the show, Priscilla The Party, opens at Here @ Outernet.
This new version doesn’t deviate from the musical’s original storyline too much, as we see drag queens Tick/Mitzi and Adam/Felicia, joined by trans woman Bernadette, on a road trip across the Australian outback to perform at a casino in Alice Springs.
The camper van they’ve named Priscilla takes them through some rural settings, and introduces them to locals who have never seen a drag queen in their lives. The message of love and acceptance so critical to this musical is not lost.
But Priscilla The Party is very different to the original production in other ways, and the clue is in the title. The venue is not a traditional theatre space for a start, Here @ Outernet is a nightclub/events space and that means the audience get closer to the action than ever before.
Audience members are on the dance floor (seated tickets are available) and can move around freely, even dancing if they wish, as the show unfolds. The stage and the cast also move around the dance floor, so one minute you might be furthest from the action, only for a part of the stage to pop up beside you and a scene unfold right there.
It means you’ll be moving about a bit, enthusiastic ushers dance their way amongst you, then quickly move you in to the right position to ensure you don’t bump into a piece of set, or a member of the cast.
It wouldn’t be a party without food and drink, and plenty of both are on offer, a well stocked bar is open throughout, and snacks are quickly prepared. With two ten minute intervals there’s enough time to enjoy a main and a dessert.
Audience members will also want to take advantage of the drinks menu too, thanks to all the dancing they’ll be doing. Priscilla is, and always has been, a jukebox musical, so expect all those wonderful LGBTQ+ anthems such as ‘Go West’, ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and ‘I Love the Nightlife’. This version has some added songs, including a superb version of Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’.
Priscilla The Party, is the ultimate in camp, colourful and cheesy fun, and there’s always plenty to grab your attention. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner’s costumes, some of which are from the original production, look sensational and that moving set (designed by Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella) works harder than a bottle of make-up remover.
Needless to say it’s a tremendously fun two hours, in fact it’s the most fun I’ve had this year. Proceedings are led by a new character, Gay Cliché, played by Trevor Ashley (Miss Understanding in the original production), who makes sure everything and everyone is where they need to be. The finale could have been a little more spectacular given everything that had come before, but perhaps I was just disappointed the show was over.
A talented ensemble support the three incredible leads in the form of Dakota Starr as Bernadette, Owain Williams as Tick and Reece Kerridge as Adam. Each of them bringing their own special something to these well-loved characters.
This show has more (disco) balls than any other in London and Priscilla The Party is a fabulous evolution of a beloved musical. The format makes it feel welcoming and inclusive, which has always been at the very heart of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
