Review Roundup: Tony Sheldon Led PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Tour

Australia's most successful homegrown musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, is back to packed houses at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

Based on the Oscar - winning Australian film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the hilarious story of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. The 1994 film starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce remains one of Australia's most successful films and soundtracks of all - time with a swag of awards in the trophy cabinet, including an Oscar for Best Costume Design.

The quintessentially Aussie story about mateship, self - discovery and acceptance was translated from screen to stage by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, directed by Simon Phillips, with the film's acclaimed costume designers Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardineronboard, alongside stage designer Brian Thomson and co - choreographers Ross Coleman and Andrew Hallsworth. Media Release : Priscilla Queen of the Desert Thursday 25 January 2018 Page 2 It's been a rollicking ten - year around - the - world extravaganza for Priscilla.

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Victoria Beal, BroadwayWorld: Watching the show in 2018, there are a few cultural or racial moments in the show that have perhaps lost a little of their comedic shine, especially opening the production so soon after January 26th. Changes to these moments wouldn't have damaged the narrative or enjoyment of the show, similar to the song changes that have been made, so whilst this discomfort could have been addressed, those close to the show appreciated them nonetheless.

Kate Herbet, Herald Sun: Blake Appelqvist is outstanding as mischievous Miss Understanding, belting out What's Love Got To Do With It?, while Robert Grubb is sympathetic as Bob, the outback mechanic, and Lena Cruz is a firecracker as his 'mail order wife', performing her hilariously vulgar (and racist?) Pop Muzik routine.

Cameron Woodhead, Sydney Morning Herald: Tony Sheldon reprises the role of Bernadette - the classy, tough and acid-tongued trans woman who acts as queer elder and mother hen - with the same panache and poignancy, curled lip and exquisite timing that made him indispensable to the Broadway and West End productions.

Chris Boyd, The Australian: The opening is a stampede of sass. Gorgeous-voiced divas descend like Rhinemaidens from the fly loft, a squad of eight powers its way through It's Raining Men dressed in ochre rainbow colours, Mitzi (David Harris) lip-synchs to a live singer and Blake Appelqvist (as the MC Miss Understanding) matches an outlandish impression of Tina Turner with a brilliant rendition of What's Love Got to Do With It.

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