North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Priscilla dazzles and entertains audiences
It’s hard not to miss the elaborate, bright pink bus parked at The Civic theatre for the next month as part of the set for the hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Nullabor Productions, it is a fast-paced two and a half hour show full of quips and euphemisms designed to get belly laugh reactions and leaves you with no time to get bored. Priscilla is adapted from a 1994 film of the same name and follows drag queens Tick and Adam and their transgender friend Bernadette as they traverse Australia in a bright pink bus - named Priscilla - to Alice Springs to meet Tick’s son Benji, culminating in a drag show and performances atop Ayers Rock. I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, and Go West are some of the stand-out performances in the show and ballads like True Colours provide a softer touch to what is otherwise an actionpacked production.
More than 471 costumes, 45 wigs and 120 shoes are worn in the show and much is required of the cast. They carry out highenergy performances, strong vocal work and impressive costume changes. Australian Home and Away actor Ray Meagher’s star power is certainly evident as Bob the Mechanic. Audiences love him and he has charismatic stage presence and energy. Bryan Buscher-West commands the show as Tick and Mitzi, with an impressive vocal range and dance skills. Simon Green as transgender Bernadette takes on the caring mother role while still able to stand up for herself. Brazilian Andre Torguato is a convincing drag queen as Adam and Felicia, the slightly immature one of the group with an undying love for Kylie Minogue.
While the weaker plot and relationships between the characters seem one dimensional, poignant moments do exist in Priscilla. Within its walls of disco classics, Priscilla carries a message of acceptance and celebration, particularly for members of the transsexual, gay and cross-dressing communities. Priscilla is an entertaining breath of fresh air on The Civic stage after darker shows like Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd earlier this year. Prepare to walk away from the show feeling like the world could definitely do with more cocks in frocks singing on rocks. ❚ Priscilla Queen of the Desert at The Civic, Auckland until November 6.