Pink and Fabulous!

My 2nd visit to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was at the Leeds Grand Theatre.  I was looking forward to having the opportunity to enjoy this colourful and fabulous musical again. The show is based on the successful MGM movie in 1994 and written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott.  We had Jason Donovan as Tick (Mitzi) (I understand he was in the original cast of the London Production), Richard Grieve as Bernadette (I saw him as Tick in London) and Graham Weaver as Adam (Felicia) (He understudied the role in the London production).

The colours, especially the pink, used on stage and the outrageous costumes were eye-catching! It blended in nicely with the story being told of three friends travelling on an old bus across Australia searching for love and pursuing their dreams.  It had this feel good essence which was shared among members of the audience even if the journey the friends faced wasn't exactly plain sailing.

I like how the musical numbers fitted in nicely into encountered situations and one's feelings.  Go West was the perfect complement for friends planning their bus ride west towards Alice Springs and I Say A Little Prayer when Tick faced some difficult decision making when he pondered making the journey.  Colour My World and I Will Survive were the perfect pick me ups when the bus broke down and when they were stranded in Broken Hill at the end of Act One.

Tick, Bernadette and Adam (Felicia) faced a number of challenges on their journeys including preconceptions and prejudices from the small town communities and the musical numbers, Girls Wanna Have Fun and Hot Stuff expressed how they felt along with their ongoing ambitions to be themselves, accepted and loved.

It was nice to see Tick reunited with his son, Benji, once they reached Alice Springs, and Jason Donovan sang Always on My Mind to express how much he missed his son.  The friendship between Tick, Bernadette and Adam (Felicia) was strengthened in the end from singing Kylie Medley and We Belong.  One of the highlights for me was the company singing Finally Medley and this included reprises of the popular 1980s songs which prompted us in the audience to get up, dance and party.

It was such a feel good, pink and fabulous show and I urge everyone to go and see the show where one can join the journey into 'to heart of the fabulous'.  Please check the website for further information and dates of the UK Tour.