Nick Hayes, Joe McFadden and Miles Western in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Priscilla Queen of the Desert continues at the Milton Keynes Theatre until 5 October 2019 and then tours until 23 May 2020.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Drag has never been more popular, with programmes like RuPaul’s Drag Race gracing our screens and drag shows quickly becoming the fun, alternative night out for all. But before it hit the mainstream, Priscilla Queen of the Desert was a cinematic sensation 25 years ago. The film was adapted into a musical a decade on and has been a success in the West End, Broadway and across the world. This week the current touring production, starring actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden as lead character Tick/Mitzi, is running at Milton Keynes Theatre and certainly lives up to its legacy.
The crude, tongue in cheek script follows the funny and totally fabulous adventure of three friends as they travel across the Outback to put on the ultimate show as their drag alter-egos.
With some serious notes hinting at the discrimination that can been encountered for being ‘different’, the show is a mostly upbeat and sparkly whirlwind of bright colours, bold make-up and big hair. Drag wouldn’t be drag without the infectious soundtrack of numbers ranging from Kylie to Gloria Gaynor which are belted out by the show’s trio of divas that accompany each scene.
The ensemble can be a little slapdash and timing of the dance routines is not always together, but combined with the simple staging, adds to the rustic and easy-going charm of the show.
Audiences are transported to the dry and deserted landscape of the Australian Outback which is particularly well re-created in the isolated ‘hillbilly’ towns that the group encounter.
Praise must also be given for the direction and production by Jason Donovan and Ian Talbot, as the characters smoothly move from each scene with the pink minibus as the pivotal prop, constantly changing form to show it rolling along the road to allow the audience inside the flamboyant interior.
Stand-out performances from the fierce, but sensitive Nick Hayes as Adam/Felicia and Jacqui Sanchez as ping-pong popping Cynthia (you’ll understand the reference when you see the show) have the audience laughing and applauding. But the highlight of the show has to be McFadden, who fully embraces his role as a drag queen, dominating the stage with his charm, dance moves and voice. He genuinely looks like he’s having the best time and it’s impossible not to enjoy watching such happiness.
Priscilla is a joyous, lively and entertaining show, that will muster a smile and a giggle from the sternest of viewers.
Hannah Grimmette
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