Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Royal and Derngate Review
Priscilla
Queen of the Desert
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
4-9 April 2016
Reviewed by Clair Bellamy
On Wednesday 5 April I attended the performance of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton.
The theatre is situated in the center of Northampton and is signposted well as you approach it. There are two or three pay and display or ticket operated barrier car parks very close to the theatre. The car park we used was a 24 hour ticket operated multi-storey car park and evening parking after 6pm costs just £1.
The theatre itself is a refurbished older theatre that now has a more modern outlook but still retains some of the atmosphere of the old building. Toilet facilities were clean and accessible down a flight of stairs, I did not notice a disabled lift but am sure there are disabled facilities as the rest of the foyer had ramps and disabled access points. There is a lovely bar area and concession stands easily accessible from the foyer but it would be advisable to pre-order interval drinks as it does get very busy. The auditorium is very large and airy with comfortable modern seating and good views all round.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the story of three drag artists travelling across Australia to their next performance venue and to family. It tells the three different stories of each performer to some classic hits of the 80’s and 90’s making it exciting, fun and a visual extravaganza.
Duncan James of Blue fame took the lead roll of Tick/Mitzi and I was extremely pleased to find that he is not a performer who only sounds good with a studio’s assistance, he has a wonderful voice that can both belt out a power ballad and also give a sensitive rendition of a more heartfelt song. The other drag artists, Bernadette and Felicia, were portrayed by Simon Green and Adam Bailey they were amazing performers and both vocally astounding but I must admit to feeling a little jealous of their lovely legs. My personal favourite members of the cast were The Diva’s, three women who held together a great deal of their musical numbers while being suspended on wires. Amazing voices and fantastic all round performers. The rest of the company all added to the triumph the performance was.
The costumes were extravagant and absolutely stunning and I can only imagine the hours and love put into each one, the costume department certainly deserve a huge round of applause. Properties and sets were ingeniously put together and used to their full. I was extremely impressed with Priscilla the bus and how she was used. The musical director must be congratulated on holding together the cast in such a way that every song was flawlessly performed.
If you love a show that leaves you with goosebumps and a sense of awe and wonder this is definitely a show to watch. To sum up with the words of my mother on leaving “That was totally amazing!”
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £17 to £40 (booking fees may apply).
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton until 9 April2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01604 624811.
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP | 01604 624811
