THEATRE TALK: HAIR's Will Swenson Takes On PRISCILLA

Hair today, gone tomorrow

The man currently sporting the best locks in the West End will have to chop them all off in just a few short months as he takes on a very different proposition from his current job. Will Swenson, who is currently reprising his Tony Award-nominated performance as unpredictable layabout hippie Berger in Cameron Mackintosh's West End transfer of Hair, will play Tick in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert when it makes its Toronto debut in October - and will follow it to Broadway after the 12-week engagement is up. This is very exciting news - Swenson is a really interesting choice, but, as shown with Hair and Rock Of Ages, unafraid to throw himself open to new theatrical and jukebox experiences.

Swenson, who leaves Hair on May 29 to participate in a long-planned production of 100 In The Shade with partner Audra McDonald in Utah, will not only have to chop off his long-grown hair but shave more closely than he ever thought possible. In a video recorded for the UK's official Priscilla site, he stood in front of the Palace theatre, where Priscilla London is currently playing, and revealed rehearsals were already taking place. Makes sense, considering the show is only playing over here (it closed a while back in Australia after a two-year run) and one of its future leads is working just a theatre down the road.

Also announced as reprising his role is the wonderful Tony Sheldon, who has played Bernadette in both Australia and the UK. When I spoke to him at the Olivier nominee lunch, just a few days before he finished his stint in the West End show, he spoke of his relief at having a bit of a break after so many years performing the same role. He said at the time that he would be leaving for Australia sharpish, but with the help of Actors' Equity Association in the US, Tony will be heading for a whole new continent and showing the performance helped to make the UK production such a success. You can see the lovely Mr Sheldon performing for Toronto press with the Toronto/NY Bob here. Meanwhile, Anthony Hollock and Steel Burkhardt will have to vye for Will Swenson's hair crown.

Meanwhile, it's all go here in the UK for Priscilla, which welcomes Ben Richards (formerly of The Bill and Footballers Wives) to the role of Tick on 1 June. Jason Donovan is no doubt looking forward to a nice break from eight shows a week. It's a measure of how well the show seems to be doing that they don't feel the need to attract 'big' celeb names to fill Donovan's shoes - though in September, Home And Away's Alf Stewart (otherwise known as Ray Meagher) will take over the role of Bob from John Bowe. The only original lead left in the show will be Oliver Thornton, who is currently thought to be staying on as Adam until sometime in the autumn.

What to see this week

West End Eurovision occurs on Thursday, so get in quick if you're a fan of both of these things. London Assurance at the National is hilariously silly - queue for £10 day tickets to get up close and personal with Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw. Tick, Tick...Boom! at the Union has just started previews - it stars former Tracy Turnblad LeAnne Jones and should be a good night out in the theatre's intimate space. And don't forget that the Royal Court's Ingredient X starts previews on Thursday, while it is currently working on promotion for new play Sucker Punch, due in just a few short weeks.

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