Priscilla, Queen of the Desert -The Musical (on stage)
Written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
Directed by Simon Phillips
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Now a dazzling musical spectacular,
one of the most successful Australian movies of all time,
Priscilla - Queen of the Desert is
currently showing at the Lyric Theatre, Star City, Sydney
(on stage). The Adventures of
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is an episodic story of
three drag queens from Sydney, one of them a transsexual,
making their way into Alice Springs in a garishly painted
bus they've dubbed Priscilla. On their way to a summer gig
at a casino resort managed by Mitzi’s (Tick’s) ex-wife, they
give impromptus shows, get drunk, get chased by mobs,
bicker, wear outlandish wigs and outfits, and have various
other adventures. Each with their own problems, they grab
the chance to cross
Australia’s red heart to leave their troubles behind. |
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Daniel Scott, Tony Sheldon and
Jeremy Stanford (centre three) |
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The musical showcases thunderous
comical and powerful performances from its entire cast.
Favourite characters of the movie are still highlighted in
the stage production, including the amazing performances by
the
three leads -
Tony Sheldon, who plays
a recently bereaved transsexual and ex-les
girl, Bernadette;
Daniel
Scott is the the
obnoxious and flamboyant drag queen
Felicia;
and
Jeremy
Stanford plays Mitzi (Tick) who
was once married and secretly has a son. The likeable
down-to earth mechanic, Bob is performed by
Michael Caton,
and his disloyal, Filipino wife,
Cynthia is played by
Lena Cruz,
and who could forget the rough and tough bar manager,
Shirley
at
Broken Hill played by
Genevieve Lemon.
Cheerfully vulgar and bitchy, essentially the play is a
warm-hearted stage production that generates a great amount
of energy. The outlandish, wicked dialogue includes most
of the best lines (most of which are too "colourful" to
repeat here!). The often-ribald comedy varies from amusing
to hilarious. The stage show includes original lines from
the movie, but also has additional lines such as references
to Kylie (Minogue). Refreshingly, the stage production is
its own entity compared to the film, and has its own
additional surprises. |
| Daniel Scott as
Felicia |
Award winning costumes varies from the outfits the three
leads wear with their wild
costumes and makeup, to the amazing cupcakes and Australian animals.
All costumes are breathtakingly spectacular and intimate, as
required. The music takes on its full colours in the
various performances. The
soundtrack consists mostly of seventies disco hits,
including the once-popular tunes by Gloria Gaynor, the
Village People, and Abba, and the audience cannot help
themselves but get into the beat.
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Cupcakes in MacArthur Park
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In a
nutshell, the stage production has beautiful stage settings,
gob-smacking costumes, amazing dialogue, and music that make this
production one of the most interesting and memorable shows to
experience. The sense of humour is wicked and the additional
unforgettable supporting cast members add to the tremendous live
performances. If you loved the movie this tremendous, must-see
stage show will definitely not disappoint you. If you have not seen
the movie and appreciative drag queen culture, a dash of frivolity
and experiencing what their lives contains, you too will enjoy this
amazing stage production.
PRODUCERS
Managing Directors (Back Row Productions) Liz Koops and Garry
McQuinn
John Frost is the Managing Director of The Gordon Frost Organisation
Michael Hamlyn
Allan Scott
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographed
by Ross Coleman
Musical Arrangements, Direction and Supervision by Stephen "Spud"
Murphy
Set Designed by Brian Thomson
Costume Designed by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner
Make Up Designer - Cassie Hanlon
Lighting Designed by Nick Schlieper
Sound Designed by Michael Waters
TRIVIA
The
bus, Priscilla (the movie) actually belonged to the Australian Band,
The Whitlams, and they toured in it, not knowing that it would soon
be an aussie icon.
Article written by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative 2/1/07
Photos courtesy of Priscilla On Stage Productions
click
here for more information about
the show/ticket prices etc
click here for Priscilla On Stage website
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