Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a celebration of drag queens being funny and outrageous, with a huge heart to encompass all.
Writers: Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott Director: James Luck
The original movie is a distant memory from 30 years ago. A surprise hit and a fan favourite back then. It premiered at the Cannes film festival and went on to win an Academy Award for costume design.
Originally it was to be played by three real Australian drag queens, the film makers having a change of heart and opting for top line actors instead. To at least try for a box office success.
Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce played the roles of Anthony Tick Belrose and Adam Whitely respectively. For the role of aging transwoman Bernadette, they had the great British actor Terence Stamp.
Of course, it was turned into a musical in the early part of the millennium, and I understand it has been to the Civic Theatre in 2008 and 2016.
I went up to David Tuitama, who was hanging around the front of house all glammed up, and with the height and build of a rugby lock and asked him if he was part of the production.
Of course, why would he be so outrageously attired? He reassured me the story stays close to the original. You will be surprised. The list of songs hinted at in the promo’s dwells on classic 70’s Disco, 80’s Power Pop and female divas.
As it happens, Tuitama turns up as drag queen Miss Understanding in the opening sequence, as well as an ensemble player.
The stage is all glammed up and glittering, with large swathes of pink and purple. Many in the packed audience tonight are similarly attired. There are several big bouffant wigs.
The spectacular start has the Three Divas (Amanda Burnett, Charlotte Carol, Maria Angela Va’a) descend from the high roof and singing in suspension. Later, they get to be attired as angels.
A spectacular start and the ensemble players leap into action, male and female, all sexy, camp and erotic. Plenty of the rapid-fire double-entendres you would expect.
Back in its time of the Nineties, it may have been regarded as provocative and daring in its gender fluidity. A far more risqué version of La Cage Aux Folles.
In truth burlesque entertainment is a centuries-old tradition and is familiar and recognisable as such.
Which this current production of Priscilla excels at, as warm as comfort food.
There is a grateful nod to Barry Humphries and his legendary Dame Edna Everage character (hello possums). Sadly, hit by woke cancel culture in his latter days in hometown Melbourne.
We first meet Anthony Tick Belrose (Andrew Allemora) doing his Mitzi Mitosis drag routine in a Sydney nightclub. There is a secret we are all in on. He is married and estranged, with a young son who finally wants to meet a dad he has never known.
First partner conscripted, the aging transwoman and former Les Girls Bernadette (Nick Hall). Familiar to Kiwi audiences as drag artist Anita Wigl’it (who also plays trumpet for the Auckland Philharmonic and the Navy Band). An excellent performance in his first big stage musical role.
The trio is completed by Adam Whitely (Jason Parker), flamboyantly performing as Felicia. Parker is a queer Pop artist with several singles to his credit.
The other star on stage is the budget campervan Priscilla. A wonderful set design which dominates the show.
Travelling through the Australian outback is a daunting prospect at best. The trio encounter the hard men of the provinces and the blatant homophobia of the country.
No more dangerous than Sydney observes Tick.
The bus is tagged with the violent Fuck Off Faggots! The dance sequence with them repainting the campervan has dancers dressed as paint brushes.
Multiple costume changes as characters morph from outback wranglers to striptease dancers, goannas to Steve Irwin look-alikes, crocodiles and exotic lizards.
A big part of the show is the stream of classic juke-box hits from the 70’s and 80’s. There are live versions of Tina Turner (What’s Love Got to Do With It), Cyndi Lauper (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, True Colours), Dusty Springfield ( I Say a Little Prayer) and Gloria Gaynor (I Will Survive).
A big part of the drag queen’s repertoire is lip-syncing, says Bernadette, to the likes of A Fine Romance and It’s Raining Men.
All very warm and emotional when Tick is finally reunited with estranged son Benji (Parker Poppleton).
Priscilla, Queen of The Desert is a delicious and campy extravaganza. It has a great ensemble cast but it rests on the wonderful performances of the three leads.
Rev. Orange Peel
Priscilla, Queen of The Desert plays at the Civic Theatre until Sunday 04 October 2025
Photo credit LK Creative