Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA pulls out all stops for their final production for 2023, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and it is certainly a plethora of feathers, sequins, and frocks!

Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is the feel good, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their drag show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined.

Director Gordon Combes, well known to Adelaide audiences for his productions of Les Misérables, Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line and Evita to name a few, keeps the action moving with cleverly choreographed scene changes and his ability to bring to the fore the very real human story that is behind all the glitz and glam. His set design, an homage to corrugated iron, is slick and an excellent contrast to the costumes.

His direction is capably supported by Jillian Gulliver’s musical direction and Sarah Williams’ choreography.

Gulliver’s nine-piece band is a tight unit and belts out standard after standard with ease ranging from disco to country to ballad.

Sarah Williams always produces imaginative choreography, and this production is no exception. I particularly enjoyed ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’.

Matt Ralph’s lighting design showcases the drag sections of the production and at the same time can ‘pull back’ in the more intimate scenes to allow the emotion to come through.

The wig and makeup departments are to be commended as this is a mammoth undertaking with many of the cast having multiple costume changes. The backstage area must be busier than the stage.

Vonni Brit as Bernadette Bassenger adds a touch of elegance to the cast. Her scenes with Bob and the song ‘MacArthur Park’ are touching moments. As an audience we all wait for “A cock in a frock, on a rock!” and are not disappointed. It is delivered with Les Girls’ finesse!

Billy St John as Tick/Mitzi Mitosis starts cautiously but quickly builds momentum as the drag queen meeting his son for the first time. His duet with his son ‘Always on My Mind’ is a highlight as is his crystal-clear singing voice throughout the production.

Benjamin Johnson as Adam Whitely/Felicia Jolly Good Fellow possesses impeccable comic timing, particularly in the famous silver slipper scene (with Vanessa Lee Shirley singing Violetta's aria, 'Sempre libera' from  La Traviata) truly a masterpiece of mime. Johnson is also an accomplished dancer and looked a million dollars in drag, however struggles with some of the vocals.

The Divas (Charissa McCluskey-Garcia, Danielle Greaves and Bec Pryor) are a vocal joy hitting just the right notes resplendent in silver gowns and beehive hairstyles. Full marks for getting up and down from a moving tower at the back in ‘drag’.

The principal cast are backed by a talented cameo cast - Trish Hendrick as Marion (Tick’s wife), Nadine Wood (a stunning ocker Sheila, Shirley), Lance Jones (Bob, Bernadette’s love interest, particularly his song ‘A Fine Romance’), Damien Ralphs as Jimmy (who helps the characters after their bus breaks down), Chany Hoffman (Cynthia, the ping pong dance exponent) and Sam Schroeter (Tick’s son). Each of these performers give us memorable moments.

The unsung star of the production is of course Priscilla, Queen of the Desert herself, resplendent in shimmering silver. She is ‘driven’ by Matt Smith and Bronte McQueen with Bernadette at the wheel. No mean feat as she must be quite heavy to rotate. Not being able to mount the silver slipper on top of her was understandable but disappointing as was her colour change to pink that only happened briefly thanks to lighting.

The chorus are the backbone of this production, having more costume changes and characters than the principal cast, and work tirelessly. I especially enjoyed ‘Go West’, ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ and the finale with its multitude of drag outfits.

There were some technical issues on the first night that should clear during the run – miking miscues, some missed dance steps and a balance issue between the vocalists and orchestra at times, but these were minor and did not affect the enjoyment of the evening.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will warm your heart and maybe have you raiding the op shops for that special little outfit to wear, if you dare!

Barry Hill OAM

Images: (top) Left to right: Billy St John, Benjamin Johnson and Vonni Brit, and (lower) Billy and Sam Schroeter. Photo credit: Proshots.