Review: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Cambridge Corn Exchange
The popular musical - the story of two drag queens and a transsexual who take a road trip in a battered old bus across Australia - is on until tomorrow (Saturday, February 15).
Made into a much-loved film, starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, in 1994, this brand new production of the enduring cult classic is directed by Ian Talbot and co-produced by Jason Donovan.
Joe McFadden, winner of Strictly Come Dancing and an actor known for appearing in series such as Casualty and Holby City, stars alongside a talented cast, bringing the glittering story to life with a stunning array of glamorous costumes and non-stop dancefloor anthems, including It’s Raining Men, Go West, I Will Survive, I Love the Nightlife, Finally, Don’t Leave Me This Way and more.
The larger-than-life and in-you-face glamour of the main characters and their biting humour fit in well against the backdrop of the Australian outback and its interesting characters, and the elaborate dance numbers certainly get the feet tapping.
Each of the actors give a sterling performance - most notably Nick Hayes as the outrageously camp Felicia/Adam, Jacqui Sanchez as the fiery ball of energy that is Cynthia, and Kevin Yates as the outlandish Miss Understanding - and the dialogue, and a few of the set pieces (most notably Cynthia’s performance in the bar), are laugh-out-loud funny.
Amid all the humour, there are some very touching moments, provided in part by the child actor portraying the son of the main character, and the viewer is left at the end with a feeling of having accompanied these well-drawn-out characters on an emotional, life-affirming journey.
This excellent show will have you dancing (in your seat or otherwise), singing along and then wanting to listen once again to some of the amazing songs used - and possibly digging out the movie.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is on tonight (Friday, February 14) and tomorrow (Saturday, February 15) at 7.30pm - and there is also a 2.30pm matinee tomorrow. Tickets: £26-£40.50.
cornex.co.uk
Read more:
Jason Donovan: 'Life is not all Disney moments'
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert starts tonight at the Cambridge Corn Exchange
