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Post by Lynda on Mar 24, 2009 21:30:38 GMT
ex Joe boys Philip Arran and Jason Donovan star in Priscilla
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - the Musical
A Sydney drag queen accepts the offer of a gig from his ex-wife in Alice Springs. What follows is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is endurance, as he has to deal with the vicissitudes of his fellow artists, a temperamental bus and the prospect meeting his son.
Based on the 1994 movie, this stage adaptation takes the road-movie concept and translates it, fairly successfully, to the stage. Brian Thomson’s set is an awe-inspiring spectacle, incorporating glitter-ball sunsets and a life-size bus that moves around the Palace stage. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner’s outrageous costume designs mirror Thompson’s camp splendour, bringing to life a plethora of dazzling drag queens in all shapes and sizes.
From the ensemble Steven Cleverley and Wezley Sebastian get great opportunities to strut their stuff as the young Bernadette and Miss Understanding respectively, whilst Daniele Coombe and Kanako Nakano bring the house down, the latter garnering cheers of applause simply from her opening line. This familiarity with the source material is a mixed blessing, and director Simon Phillips ensures his cast milk every verbal and visual punchline dry. Thankfully this is counterpointed by some genuinely tender moments, particularly from Jason Donovan as Tick. Oliver Thornton makes a splendid Adam, joyously lip-syncing through Semper Libera whilst seated astride a ten-foot platform shoe that is strapped to a bus - surely a highlight on anyone’s CV. Ultimately the star of this show is Tony Sheldon as the classy, aging transsexual Bernadette. Playful, acerbic and glamorous, Sheldon imbibes Bernadette with a believable past and an equally plausible future with Bob, played by Clive Carter.
This Australian show may have the capacity to rival the remarkable Mamma Mia!, but whether or not it has the staying power is another matter.
c/ The Stage
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Post by Chrissi on Mar 25, 2009 19:14:48 GMT
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Mar 25, 2009 23:10:38 GMT
Woo thanks hun ;D was gonna put on here last night that Lee had gone....but i forgot whoops!! lol xxxx
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Post by chestwig on Mar 26, 2009 9:07:36 GMT
Have seen this allready and its fab I love it. Going again on sat with Hels. sHE hasnt seen it before. Jason is fab in it...
kelxx
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Mar 26, 2009 22:53:51 GMT
wooo i'd soooo love to see it
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Post by Lynda on Mar 29, 2009 19:31:33 GMT
If you want to see a feel good factor show, one where you will be smiling throughout, this is a must .
Fabulous cast, costumes with feathers galore and high headresses, drag queens, transsexual, gay people, Divas, great songs. Miss this at your peril. During the first half I already wanted to book tickets for a return visit.
The opening number has 3 feather clad girls hanging from wires way up high, to drag queens miming to well known songs such as Downtown, Ive never been to me. Whats love got to do with it, I say a little prayer, Don’t leave me this way, Venus, Go west.
We had row b in the stalls and I cant recommend these at all as there was hardly any leg room and tiny seats. Sit dress circle for the best view, or further back in the stalls
Priscilla the old bus takes up most of the stage most of the time, and has some great colour changes to it.
This is an outstanding cast and one of the best productions I have seen for months , Jason Donovan, Oliver Thornton and Tony Sheldon being the leads. Most people will fall in love with Oliver hopefully not because he is half naked most of the time (his words not mine) but for his all round ability and stage presence.
Fab ensemble, our Phillip Arran is outstanding in his many roles, not least where he wears a crucifix on his head during the funeral scene, but just you wait til he turns around !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a very cheeky glimpse awaits you. Loved the Go West number YMCA take off. Look out for Jeremy Secomb another ex Joseph cast member
Other songs include I love the night life, Both sides now, Colour my world, I will survive, Thank God I’m a country boy, A fine romance, Shake your Groove thing, Pop muzik, Girls just wanna have fun, Hot Stuff, Macarthur Park, Boogie wonderland, The morning after, Come into my world, Always on my mind, Kylie Medley, We belong.
There is one scene where members of the audience are taken onto the stage just wish I had the energy would have loved to be up there with them.
Look out for Oliver during Hot Stuff, wearing a long blonde wig, he looks so like a girl.
Talking of blondes, there are some MBT’s. Three “Swedes” emerge from the bus during one scene, they look like 3 Lewis Bradleys, that was very funny. Such a lot of comical moments. I wouldn’t be surprised if this show didn’t win an award Look out for the dancing cakes (bit of beauty and the beast) If you like Rocky Horror, Joseph and Spamalot you will love this. Oh and look out for Skippy and Tinky winky too.
At the moment there are only 7 shows a week but this will be increasing to 8 in due course. Great time had by all.
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Post by alicia on Mar 30, 2009 9:10:42 GMT
I cany wait to to and see this. I agree, the 'cheap seats' are not comfortable. Im 5 foot and didnt have leg room last night in the grand circle A8 for a different show
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Mar 30, 2009 13:24:38 GMT
hello fellow 5ft-er lol xx
i'd so love to see this show, sounds fab!!!
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Post by chestwig on Mar 30, 2009 21:18:40 GMT
Saw it sat again and it was fab love it love love it. Hels loved it too, hope its here to stay. Oliver Thornton who plays felicia is fab and hot too lol. Going again next mon 6th...
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Season
Full Member
Shouting at the world but no-ones listening!!!
Posts: 169
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Post by Season on Mar 31, 2009 8:15:01 GMT
Saw this with Lynda Saturday afternoon and I LOVED IT!!!! Was a bit disappointed with Jason Donovan he didn't seem comfortable in the role and dare I say it 'a bit wooden in parts'. Maybe he'll improve with time but I was very impressed with Tony Sheldon as Bernadette.Never before have I seen a bloke look so good as a woman, you could tell he's played the role before. As for Oliver Thornton as Adam/Felicia WOW,WOW,WOW ;D ;D He was fabulous - a definate star of the future. I want to go again and yes Lynda I do want the t-shirt. My only negative comment - could have done without the downpour as we left the theatre.
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Helen
Junior Member
beautiful
Posts: 88
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Post by Helen on Mar 31, 2009 18:56:40 GMT
Kels took me on saturday! I LOVEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD it! what an amazing show! i loved every single second of it! I have fallen in love with Oliver Thornton! he is beyond stunning! he is just to beautiful for words! & I have no words to describe the view from the front row! I so hope I can go again! I would love to! please can we Kels? amazing & foxy Kels! ;D ;D ;D Season just a couple of things how can you possibly call Jason wooden?! he is fabulous in this, his always on my mind had me in floods of tears it is done & captured perfectly & Oliver at 29 & one of the leads in the biggest new show in the west end is a star of now not the future!
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Post by chestwig on Mar 31, 2009 19:05:35 GMT
Kels took me on saturday! I LOVEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD it! what an amazing show! i loved every single second of it! I have fallen in love with Oliver Thornton! he is beyond stunning! he is just to beautiful for words! & I have no words to describe the view from the front row! I so hope I can go again! I would love to! please can we Kels? amazing & foxy Kels! ;D ;D ;D Season just a couple of things how can you possibly call Jason wooden?! he is fabulous in this, his always on my mind had me in floods of tears it is done & captured perfectly & Oliver at 29 & one of the leads in the biggest new show in the west end is a star of now not the future! We'll deffinately go again Hels, sooner the better. and I deffinately agree jason isnt wooden if he was wooden wouldnt have had so many parts in so many musicals would he !! and also Season can I ask is there anyone you like as you allways run down so many people?? youre never positive about anyone... kelxx
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Post by Chrissi on Apr 2, 2009 9:38:52 GMT
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Post by alicia on Apr 3, 2009 18:42:48 GMT
I wanna wanna goooooooo Anyone wanna go with me? I cant afford £60 for a ticket though, whats the cheapest decent seat?
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Season
Full Member
Shouting at the world but no-ones listening!!!
Posts: 169
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Post by Season on Apr 4, 2009 7:16:46 GMT
I'm booking to go again with Lynda as I loved this sooooo much.
As for those who think I 'run down' everyone - there are people who I adore - ;DJon Boydon,Michael Xavier,Tim Rogers,Blair McDonough,Ryan Molloy,Keifer Sutherland,David Tennant ;D then there are people who just don't stand out.For me it was Jason on that particular afternoon.
It won't stop me from going again tho and if you watched him on Jonathon Ross last night he actually admitted he can't dance.
I do stand corrected tho - Oliver Thornton is a star of now as well as the future!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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