Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh 14th April 2026
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is at the Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh this week (Tue 14 Apr - Sat 18 April) and, as always, this was simply a fun show with many iconic songs that are always ready for their drag-queen make-over.
It is now 20 years since Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical first took to the stage (Sydney October 2006) and the show is, of course, based on the 1994 film "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and, like the film, the musical used well known pop songs as its score. The stage show uses some songs not in the film, but the clever use of the song lyrics to fit into the story and scenes here is what always raises this show well above the standard "jukebox musical" production.
The main story here is of two drag queens (Mitzi and Felicia) and a trans woman (Bernadette) as they head across the desert from Sydney to Alice Springs in a lavender bus called Priscilla, but underneath all the frocks and the song and dance routines, there is real emotion here as other story-lines cross over into the main narrative.
By the very nature of a show like this, the focus of the main cast is on their ability to do the song and dance routines rather than any heavy dramatic roles, and Kevin Clifton (Tick/Mitzi) with his many years as a professional dancer on "Strictly Come Dancing" and his subsequent work in theatre manages to cover both performance requirements here and there are some nice emotional moments to his character here.
In contrast to the role of Mitzi, Nick Hayes’ Felicia is one of a stereotypical over the top drag queen performance diva, and he does this well, aided along the way by some fine barbed one liners. In total contrast to both is long retired Bernadette, a calm to the storm almost, and Adele Anderson, of "Fascinating Aida" fame brings many years of stage experience to this role and is perfectly suited to bring her Bernadette to the stage. Rounding off the main quartet of roles here is Peter Duncan as the unexpected love interest in the middle of the desert, mechanic Bob, and although there is not that much for Bob to do here, Peter makes the most of every opportunity on stage that he is given.
Priscilla the Musical relies heavily upon its soundtrack, but what a soundtrack! A few of the now iconic songs in this show include "It's Raining Men", "MacArthur Park", "Hot Stuff", "Don't Leave Me This Way", "True Colours" and "Colour My World". If you have not seen this show before, its use of "Pop Muzic" will probably never leave your mind.
Review by Tom King (c) 2026
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
It is now 20 years since Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical first took to the stage (Sydney October 2006) and the show is, of course, based on the 1994 film "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and, like the film, the musical used well known pop songs as its score. The stage show uses some songs not in the film, but the clever use of the song lyrics to fit into the story and scenes here is what always raises this show well above the standard "jukebox musical" production.
The main story here is of two drag queens (Mitzi and Felicia) and a trans woman (Bernadette) as they head across the desert from Sydney to Alice Springs in a lavender bus called Priscilla, but underneath all the frocks and the song and dance routines, there is real emotion here as other story-lines cross over into the main narrative.
By the very nature of a show like this, the focus of the main cast is on their ability to do the song and dance routines rather than any heavy dramatic roles, and Kevin Clifton (Tick/Mitzi) with his many years as a professional dancer on "Strictly Come Dancing" and his subsequent work in theatre manages to cover both performance requirements here and there are some nice emotional moments to his character here.
In contrast to the role of Mitzi, Nick Hayes’ Felicia is one of a stereotypical over the top drag queen performance diva, and he does this well, aided along the way by some fine barbed one liners. In total contrast to both is long retired Bernadette, a calm to the storm almost, and Adele Anderson, of "Fascinating Aida" fame brings many years of stage experience to this role and is perfectly suited to bring her Bernadette to the stage. Rounding off the main quartet of roles here is Peter Duncan as the unexpected love interest in the middle of the desert, mechanic Bob, and although there is not that much for Bob to do here, Peter makes the most of every opportunity on stage that he is given.
Priscilla the Musical relies heavily upon its soundtrack, but what a soundtrack! A few of the now iconic songs in this show include "It's Raining Men", "MacArthur Park", "Hot Stuff", "Don't Leave Me This Way", "True Colours" and "Colour My World". If you have not seen this show before, its use of "Pop Muzic" will probably never leave your mind.
Review by Tom King (c) 2026
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com