As I took my seat preparing for what would be my fourth trip on the Priscilla bus, I was pretty confident that I knew what I was in for. However it seems that the show has not only undergone a casting change, but has been totally revamped! There are additional songs, tweaked lines and completely gratuitous shirtless scenes featuring Duncan James.
Priscilla begins in Sydney where drag queen Tick (played by James) has been performing. Previously married, he receives a call from his wife to say that their six-year-old child would like to meet his father. Tick rounds up retired drag artist Bernadette and enthusiastic new performer Felicia to embark on a week long journey in a old school bus that they have nicknamed "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".
Priscilla is packed with feel-good disco classics such as I Love The Nightlife, Finally, Go West and Boogie Wonderland. The costumes are outstanding and quite possibly the most impressive I have seen in any show. Although I thoroughly enjoyed previous casts that I have seen, this new one feels really fresh and I was very pleasantly surprised! The ensemble are excellent but the performance is really down to the three leads, Duncan James, Simon Green and Adam Bailey who were all brilliant. Priscilla is a high-energy performance and they pulled it off effortlessly.
Finishing off with what has to be the ultimate finale in musical theatre, I challenge anyone to leave the venue without a smile on their face!
Priscilla runs at the King's Theatre Glasgow until Saturday 2nd April.
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