Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is superb!

Just one word describes the current revival of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: superb! Originating at Palace Theatre, Manchester in February of this year, this production is not a replica of the Broadway, London or previous touring stagings but is described as “a brand-new 30th anniversary production”.

Based on the 1994 ‘road’ movie “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, the wafer-thin plot follows two drag queens, Tick/Mitzi (Kevin Clifton) and Felicia/Adam (Nick Hayes) and transgender woman Bernadette (Dakota Starr), as they journey in an old bus across the Australian desert in order that Tick can meet his estranged wife and, more importantly, his son Benji (Finley Christian), aged nine, for the first time. On the way, they have several encounters with ‘interesting’ Australians, and Bernadette meets car mechanic, Bob (Peter Duncan), who decided to travel with them to Alice Springs.

The present production benefits first of all from well over one hundred (there seem to be even more!) lavish, highly imaginative costumes designed by Vicky Gill. These really have that “wow” factor – not just once but many times! Craig Forrest-Thomas has designed some staggeringly inventive wigs and make-up designs which only add to the inventiveness of the show. The composite set, complete not only with a backcloth but also with an impressive cyclorama, has been created by Andrew Dexter, using as little stage furniture as possible and consequently leaving room for “Priscilla”, the bus, made in several sections and being moved by hand, the interior of which seems to expand to give varied performance areas at different levels. Dexter has also designed the lighting – bright, bold and brassy! Talking about ‘brassy’, the seven-piece band under Richard Atkinson inhabits the pit, the orchestration including flugel horn in addition to keyboards, guitars and drum kit and, just for a change, the sound balance (Ben Harrison) favours the singers.

The highly energetic and talented cast, numbering over thirty, do full justice to Ian Talbot’s direction. There seems to be more emphasis on identity, diversity and self-acceptance, and more explicit engagement with homophobia and transphobia, handled with sensitivity. Earlier tours relied more on camp and spectacle, whereas Talbot’s new staging leans more into emotional storytelling. Matt Cole’s choreography is never-ending in its variety and pace, and leaves one feeling breathless just watching it, let alone imagining doing it!

Kevin Clifton is very believable as Tick/Mitzi, managing to create a three-dimensional, motivated role in addition to revealing a truly romantic singing style which is very appropriate for his numbers. Nick Hayes has much fun with Felicia/Adam, but is also quite moving in some of his scenes. Dakota Starr plays Bernadette as a suitably ‘botoxed’ personality with much presence, using her stature and imposing physicality to great effect.

Former BBC ‘Blue Peter’ personality, Peter Duncan, reveals not only an ability to portray a grey-haired motor mechanic, but also an ability to put over a song, of which this ‘jukebox’ musical contains over thirty, many, if not all, of which the first night audience at Theatre Royal Brighton knew well, ranging from MacArthur Park via Jerome Kern’s A Fine Romance to Thank God I’m a Country Boy.

As I said at the start, the most accurate word to describe Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is SUPERB. Much thought, imagination and inventiveness have gone into this revival, so that, as with several current touring musical theatre shows, it is at least as good as, or in many respects better than its original incarnation. It is only at Brighton until 20 June (one hour from London – but check late return trains!!) and my colleague has already booked to see it again this week: it is one of those shows!!

Very highly recommended!

Review by John Groves

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, based on the Oscar-winning groundbreaking film, is back with a dazzling, brand new 30th anniversary tour production.

The Broadway and West End musical comedy sensation follows three friends on a hilarious and heartwarming road trip across the Australian Outback to stage the show of a lifetime. PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT is a joyous celebration of unity, love, and being unapologetically yourself.

Adèle Anderson – Bernadette
Kevin Clifton – Tick / Mitzi
Nick Hayes – Felicia / Adam
Peter Duncan – Bob
Dakota Starr – Alternate Bernadette
Leah Vassell – Diva
Bernadette Bangura – Diva
Jessie May – Diva / Shirley
Billie Hardy – Marion
James Wolstenholme – Miss Understanding
Isabella Glanznig Santos – Cynthia
Jak Allen-Anderson – Farrah / Young Bernadette
Alexander Emery – Frank
Sario Solomon – Jimmy
Mary Suarez, Tia Antoine-Charles, Olivia Bella, Nathan Ryles, Michael Afemare, Fionan O’Carroll – Ensemble
Alexander Gage, Samuel Stokes – Ensemble/Swing

Ian Talbot – Director
Matt Cole – Choreographer
Andrew Exeter – Set and Lighting Designer
Sam Holmes – Associate Director
Thomas Charles – Associate Choreographer
Vicky Gill – Costume Design
Ben Harrison – Sound Designer
Leo Flint – Video Designer
Craig Forrest-Thomas – Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Designer

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical
Dates: Tue 16 Jun – Sat 20 Jun 2026 | Theatre Royal Brighton
Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD