Rhinestones at the ready – Priscilla and her queens take over QPAC
Are you feeling a little bit more fabulous, Brisbane? We can explain that – if you’ve had the sudden urge to don a feather boa, stack on a headdress and sing along to the most camp playlist you can find, it’s probably because Priscilla just arrived. That’s right – iconic film-turned-stage play Priscilla Queen of the Desert has officially swept QPAC in a flurry of sequinned glory, taking over the Lyric Theatre from September 26 to November 4.
Based on the Oscar-winning homegrown cinematic gem, Priscilla Queen of the Desert follows three mates who hop a dilapidated old bus in Sydney and set off for Alice Springs, all with the intention of putting on the show of a lifetime. The soundtrack alone gives you a hint as to just how fabulous and camp things get – we’re talking all of the old disco classics like ‘I Will Survive’, ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Love the Nightlife’ and more. The quintessentially Aussie tale about mateship, self-discovery and acceptance was transformed from screen to stage by dream team Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Simon Phillips, with the original film’s acclaimed costume designers Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner on board. This dazzling crew is rounded out with stage designer Brian Thomson and co-choreographers Andrew Hallsworth and legendary Ross Coleman.
When it comes to the Priscilla Queen of the Desert cast, audiences are in for an absolute treat with Australian theatre royalty Tony Sheldon reprising his iconic role as Bernadette. His performances around the world (tallying up to roughly 1800) have earned him both Tony® and Olivier® nominations. The rest of the cast is of a similarly stunning pedigree – you’ve got beloved David Harris as Tick, Kinky Boots and Les Misérables alum Euan Doige as Felicia, plus absolute legend Ray Meagher as outback mechanic Bob. Ray’s appearance is also exclusive to Queensland audiences, so you’d better get in flamin’ quick if you want to see the show.
Ready to shake your groove thing? You can nab tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert through QPAC.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
