I love the nightlife. I also love the film Priscilla. In fact I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I can pretty much recite the entire film word-for-word ad nauseum. That’s not a unique talent in the gay world though... many of my friends can too. Watching a film more times than Kate has shoved a rolled up Tenner up her nose, does imprint it into your memory.

Possibly not the wisest move to book tickets to see the show the day after Mardi Gras... I really should’ve known better. I had barely slept a wink in the previous two partee days...

I wasn’t expecting much, probably because I simply thought that it was not possible to out-do the original film. So, it was with a glittery handbag full of cynicism that I taxied to Star City, Sydney. I passed on the pre-show cocktails in ‘Priscillas’ bar and headed straight for my nice big, comfy, new seat, upon arrival at the Lyric Theatre. We were seated well before curtain up which was a bit of luck as some late comers were whipped with the harsh tongue of one of the drag characters when they attempted to get to their seats during the introduction.

Petula Clarks’ ‘Downtown’ kick-started the show and was used to introduce the characters and the starting point for their journey - Sydney. The set design is striking from the outset, very clever and it utilizes a relatively small stage brilliantly. I was thinking beforehand... how are they gonna get their make-up on and off so quickly? How are they gonna get a bus on stage? How are they gonna paint it pink? ...and then how are they gonna unpaint it pink for tomorrow's show? It must have been headache central for them trying to work it all out, but the headaches were well worth it. The result is an eye-wateringly colourful show, seamless front of stage and probably pandemonium backstage. If, like me, any of the actors had been partying the previous night away, then it certainly didn’t show... they were boundless with energy shakin’ their groove things.

Although totally faithful to the original road-trip plot, some subtleties and character nuances which help make the film so special, may have been a little lost in this production. Having said that this is more than compensated by the full-on Drag-a-ganza spectacle with the addition of many more songs and the glorious revamped costume design by Academy award winning designers Tim Chappel and Lizzie Gardiner.

Undoubtedly the greatest strengths of the show are the wonderfully crafted musical arrangements and vocal talents of the three flame-haired, silver clad, Diva singers. Floating like angels above the stage, they really hold the show together and add a great weight behind the rest of the cast. The rendition of ‘Don’t leave me this way’ brought a tear to me eye, and that’s not an easy job considering I’ve a got heart of stone.

Given the phenomenal music for the show we were a little disappointed to discover that the official CD soundtrack contains the old versions of the songs by the original artists, most of which are already featured on the film soundtrack CD. Who wants yet another compilation with Gloria Gaynors’ ‘I Will Survive’ on it? Not me, I must have about ten already. The musical arrangements of the songs in the show are mostly far superior than the original versions, especially when sung in chorus.
The producers absolutely must release a cast album; it would be perfect for a party. With a bit of luck this will happen when Elton ships the show over to London.

Over 100,000 people have already enjoyed Priscilla The Musical, if you haven’t been yet, the photos should be enough to persuade you, even if that does involve buying a flight to Sydney. Go West!

Visit www.priscillathemusical.com for more details and for booking information.
Photos accompanying this review courtesy of James Morgan Photography.