Priscilla Queen of the Desert

‘Priscilla’ the bus has been in great demand over the past 18 months, but   I had never seen her before and so was very fortunate to experience my ‘Priscilla’ initiation with wonderful WODS.

The WODs production was blessed with the most talented of leading performers and an extrovert and exuberant company. Add to the mix the undoubted talents of award winning director Laura Grace, the unbelievable talents of MD Annie Ford (Yes she sings and can paint scenery as well)  add Carrie and Aaron as choreographers … and you have the dream team.

The set was simple, mainly and open stage with platforms from time to time so the main scenery was ‘Priscilla’ the revolving bus. We had scenes set against the outside and hey presto revolve the bus and we had the fun and oh so interesting inside. Because the bus took up so much stage, the company was often a little tight on space, did it matter? Not at all…. the choreography had been designed to ‘fit ‘and it was all so entertaining.  We had been warned…. So was it rude … yes, but so funny. Was the language rather outrageous … yes but contextually quite acceptable.  Everything about this show was ‘larger than life’. Exciting lighting- loved the colourful rotating spots, and the costumes were indescribable… how many costume changes for everyone? Outlandish, clashing colours, out of this world silly, but worn with flair and panache and my favorites were the cup cakes!

The orchestra was beautifully controlled, sometimes a little loud but who can blame them … such a wonderful brassy sound, without too much annoying bass, very expertly controlled by Annie Ford. Brilliant songs from the past, all sung well by soloists and chorus alike. Occasionally the dialogue was indistinct, especially when over music but with a 600 strong audience clapping to every number with a strong beat… no wonder I couldn’t hear.

The storyline is thin…just a series of scenes from the travelers journey to Alice Springs with every stop an excuse for another jazzy number and a song and dance.  Laura Grace took this large cast and molded them expertly into a great team, the dance numbers, thanks to Carrie and Aaron were well rehearsed, within the capabilities of this inclusive cast.

The emotion (and there was great poignancy at times) came from the skilled leading performers…..

Born to play Transgender Bernadette- very talented Mike Purnell, showed his immense professionalism… Never once... well only once during the bows when he took off one of his wigs, did I think of him as a man. He gave a truly memorable performance, well done Mike, follow that?

Mitzy Mitosis- Craig Sillick gave an outstanding performance as the ‘married with a son he didn’t know’ gay drag queen. His powerful and excellent voice shone through in some of his numbers. We felt his pain and the bedtime story scene with his son was powerful.

Will Taylors portrayal of Feliciajollygoodfellow was as talented as it was outrageous, both in equal measure.  We saw a super performance from a very talented performer. (Another multi talented man, a performer, a director and a musician)  I worried about those killer heels though Will; a slight wobble had me and the lady next to me gasping!

All the supporting principals performed their roles with such joyfulness, as did the company, and their enthusiasm carried over into the audience. I want to thank Malcolm Harris as Bob. I loved your understated performance, very well done. But finally I must cite the most fantastic ‘diva’ I have ever seen … Natasha all I can say is WOW!  What a performance, what a voice, what a show girl, I simply loved watching you.

WODS you well deserved your standing ovation, you entertained, and you ‘rocked’ the Playhouse, very well done everyone.

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