Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
JASON Donovan, Tony Sheldon and Oliver Thornton will lead the cast in the West End production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical which opens at the Palace Theatre on March 23, 2009 (previews from March 10), with a Gala Night on March 24. Read our review
Based on the Academy Award-winning film, Priscilla tells the story of Tick (Donovan), Bernadette (Sheldon) and Adam (Thornton), a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio, who take their show to the middle of the Australian outback – in a battered old bus nicknamed Priscilla.
A heart-warming, uplifting adventure ensues with the friends finding more than they could ever have dreamed. Outrageous costumes and a score of dance-floor classics – including I Say A Little Prayer, Venus, Downtown and I Will Survive – combine to make Priscilla a musical described as ‘a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous’.
Donovan’s more recent theatre credits include the role of Christian in David Eldridge’s adaptation of Thomas Vinterberg’s film Festen (Melbourne Theatre Company); Caratacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium); and the title role in John Doyle’s production of Sweeney Todd (national tour).
Since leaving Neighbours, in which he played Scott Robinson for over four years, Donovan has enjoyed a successful pop career releasing three major albums and numerous top 10 hits around the world. His first new album for over fifteen years, Let It Be Me, is due for release in November this year.
Sheldon created the award-winning role of Bernadette on stage in Australia, where his other theatre credits include Private Lives, Into The Woods, The Venetian Twins, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Odd Couple, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, Torch Song Trilogy and I Hate Hamlet. He makes his West End debut in the London production of Priscilla.
Thornton’s West End credits include Mark in Rent (Duke of York’s Theatre), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Enjolras in Les Misérables (Palace and Queens Theatres) and Harrison in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre). He has also appeared in the films Godforsaken and De-Lovely.
Simon Phillips will direct a cast that also includes Clive Carter as Priscilla’s trusty mechanic Bob. Carter’s credits include Crooked Wood (currently playing at Jermyn Street Theatre), Take Flight (Menier Chocolate Factory), My Fair Lady (world tour) and A Man for All Seasons (Theatre Royal Haymarket). His many cast recordings include Les Misérables, Into the Woods, Always, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Essentials and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Further casting will be announced shortly.
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical – adapted from the Academy Award-winning film The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert starring Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving – is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott.
Choreography is by Ross Coleman, arrangements, musical direction and supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and production designs are by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Academy Award-winning costume designs, lighting is by Nick Schlieper and sound by Michael Waters.
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, and the Really Useful Theatre Company.
The production is initially booking until September 26, 2009.
Priscilla – facts and figures l Read our review