Priscilla Queen Of The Desert at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

If you are going to see one show this year make it Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which just drove into Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, you won’t regret it. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is a great venue for any show, plenty of parking surrounding the theatre and ample bars within for a pre show drink. It was a very mixed sparkly audience who took to their seats tonight.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert has what must be one of my favourite soundtracks, too many to list but favourites have to be boogie wonderland, hot stuff, it’s raining men and I will survive. The soundtrack of dreams.

This musical doesn’t stop for breath, it really is all go. The story follows Tick, Adam and Bernadette, three very talented drag queens across the desert for a show. It shows the highs and very lows of those that perform and follow alternate lifestyles. The prejudice that is clearly shown to people who don’t fit other people’s normal is heartbreaking.

Kevin Clifton is an absolute revelation as Tick aka Mitzi, he can sure sing, and obviously born to dance, he was simply brilliant as the central character. The brilliantly touching character Bernadette played by Adele Anderson and the very sassy talented Nick Hayes as Adam aka Felicia headed up a great cast, not forgetting Peter Duncan as Bob. This show is not for the easily offended, gritty, coarse, downright smuttily rude we loved every minute of it. The three ladies playing the sparkling Divas were simply divine, incredible voices on all of them.

Be prepared for outrageous costumes, absolutely brilliantly fitting for the musical, just when you thought you had seen it all, the finale topped the lot in a glorious kaleidoscope of sequins and colour. Although at times your heart ached for the prejudice they suffered, true friendship saw the queens of the desert through.

There is an age guidance for this show of age 14 plus, children under the age of 16 years must sit next to an adult age 18 plus years. It’s important to note there are flash and strobe effects, adult language and themes.

The show has to be my favourite so far this year, it’s a couple of hours of pure escapism of the highest quality. The whole cast sang and danced their hearts out and who couldn’t not belly laugh at the antics with the ping pong balls. Fabulous evening being thoroughly entertained, I loved every minute. This is musical theatre at its finest.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is gloriously camp, endearing, toe tapping fun with a heartfelt story, and a huge helping of sequins, book your tickets now before you miss the fun, they are in Aylesbury until Saturday.

Rating: 5/5
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Monday 4th May to Saturday 9th May.
Tickets cost from £15.60 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95 available from www.atgtickets.com or call the Box Office on 0844 871 7607
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Exchange Street Aylesbury HP20 1UG