Priscilla - Queen of the Desert

This was the night that the West End came to Bridgewater!  B.O.S have everything to be proud of with this outstanding production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

The set was very cleverly done with a film screen at the top of the upper level that changed with every scene to reflect their location. The top level accessed by the staircase and also from the wings was well utilised. The eponymous Priscilla was parked underneath and was beautifully constructed with smooth movement, a detailed interior and great lighting.       

The costumes were spectacular, colourful, and changed so speedily, the backstage dressers were obviously skilled and experienced and probably exhausted by the end of the show.  The high heels were very well negotiated and worn with great confidence

This was a show that ticked every box for quality, it was pacey, slick and from the outset exuded confidence in their collective and individual performances

 With a super script, not one joke or inuendo missed, a strong cast, excellent dancing, and a fine orchestra this had all the ingredients for a great show.

Miss Understanding (warm up drag Queen) set the tone, insulting the audience, and getting away with it! He had the audience eating out of his hand complete with pink ensemble, terrific stuff that promised an excellent night ahead  

“It’s Raining Men” was a real hit complete with umbrellas &” What’s Love Got to do with it” well executed. There were 17 musical numbers in Act 1 and 20 in Act 2, all performed beautifully, not only voices but actions and expressions too. Not just the cake but the icing as well.

 Tick was portrayed with conviction and style, a very empathetic characterisation of this complex character, his touching reunion with his son Benji was beautifully done, the father and son (in real life) really bonded on stage and the confidence of the boy, with every word succinct, bodes well for future performances.

 Adam, the young and naïve newcomer was convincing and was both brash and vulnerable but with youth on his side bounced back and was ever optimistic, encouraging his somewhat world-weary companions to take risks and move on. Very well portrayed and looked marvellous.

 Bernadette had it all, the walk, the glamour and again pathos and vulnerability after a difficult life as a transgender woman and having just lost her partner. This portrayal was superb, the range of emotions, her love and understanding of her companions was beautifully done and never overplayed.

All three worked so well together, totally believable, they danced and sang with great skill and plenty of light and shade so necessary for their roles.

As for the Trio Diva’s their singing voices blended so well along with great movement, they worked so well as a team.

Bob had a good Australian accent and singing voice to match along with super characterization. His tender scenes with Bernadette were beautifully performed.

Cynthia, brilliant stuff, complete with a super accent and ping-pong balls a speciality!

Shirley gave good performance as the hard woman with attitude!

Marion wife of Tick came over as an understanding warm person and was played so well

Finally, the Opera singer, What a voice! It was just so unexpected that I thought she was miming but no, she is the real thing! what a treat to listen to! Outstanding

The show needed a strong chorus too and they certainly delivered. Always in character, superb voices and not a hand out of place. The Choreography was first rate, the lighting done with skill, the stage crew must have worked their socks off with never a dull moment      

The energy, vibe, and skill this show produced, just hit the audience who reacted with awe and gasps of delight and clearly showed their appreciation by standing up giving everyone connected with this show an ovation so richly deserved

I wish to thank and recognise a Producer& Director Lewis White who has obviously got what it takes to produce such a quality show as this along with a Choreographer who has imagination and a Musical Director who produces such a great sound!

As for faults in this show, what faults? I couldn’t see any! 

This was an evening of entertainment that was a sheer joy to witness, and I deem myself fortunate along with the audiences that were privileged to see this production, a production that was fit to have been shown in the West End. When are you going on tour with it?

Many heartfelt congratulations to all concerned an evening to be remembered for a long time to come!

Graham Liverton

Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

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