REVIEW: Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, the Hawth, Crawley

The blurb on the Hawth website says the show takes you to the heart of fabulous - and they are not wrong.

Based on the smash-hit movie, the feel-good international hit sensation Priscilla is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of.

The show is one of the recent array of jukebox musicals - following in the footsteps of Mamma Mia (Abba), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) and We Will Rock You (Queen). But Priscilla is different as this is has a parade of dancefloor classics from various artists including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, I Love The Nightlife, Downtown and I Have Never Been to Me. And of course, there’s a bit of Kylie thrown in.

Duncan James takes the lead as Tick (or Mitzi) and he recruits Bernadette (the brilliant Simon Green) and super camp Adam (or Felicia), played with relish by Adam Bailey, to travel to Alice Springs to meet his son.

The first half of the show is full of great set pieces with Go West and I Love the Nightlife the highlights. And Catherine Mort deserves a mention for her hilarious and astonishing ‘chest work’ as Shirley for the latter.

The second half turns a little darker and more serious at times, but it still keeps it’s fun edge and is ultimately heart-warming.

All the performers strut their stuff brilliantly but they do get upstaged by the costumes at times. Panto dames could only dream of some these outfits. My personal favourites were the paint brush dresses for Colour My World.

If they ever put pictures in the dictionary, there would certainly be a picture of Priscilla next to the word fabulous.

It’s great show which will leave you smiling and tapping your feet. Hot stuff!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is on at the Hawth until Saturday April 23. Mon–Thu 7.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8.15pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm

BSL Interpreted Performance: Fri 22 April 8.15pm

Audio Described Performance: Sat 23 April 2.30pm. Please reserve headsets at least a week before the performance.

Please call Box Office to book access performances on 01293 553636 if you arevisually or hearing impaired.

Tickets: Mon-Thu eve: £40. Fri 5pm: £37.50. Fri 8.15pm & Sat: £42.50.

Discounts: £5 off. Groups 6 or more: £7.50 off.

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