‘Priscilla’: a journey to the heart of fabulous
Tonight theatre
ANYONE who has seen the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert will know that it is made for live performances. The Australian outback might have been a strong character, but get some sassy boys to fill those high heels, the walk and the talk, and there’s little to beat that on stage.
That’s why this is the next hit musical to make a debut on our local stages, in Cape Town and Joburg, at the end of March.
Based on the Oscar-winning film, it is a wickedly warmhearted tale of three drag queens who hop aboard an old bus called Priscilla to perform in Alice Springs. On the way they discover much more, including friendship, love and… well, you’ll have to check that out.
So slipslide into those high heels and jump on that bus with the oh-so-fabulous leads David Dennis ( Pirates of Penzance), Daniel Buys (now starring in Saturday Night Fever), Phillip Schnetler (also in Saturday Night Fever) and veteran actor and the musical spectacular, James Borthwick.
Additional roles are played by TarynLee Hudson ( Singin’ in the Rain), Chantal Herman ( Little Shop of Horrors) and Candice van Litsenborgh ( Annie) with Candida Mosoma ( Sister Act), Thembeka Mnguni ( High School Musical) and Durban’s Londiwe Dhlomo ( Cabaret) as the three dazzling divas.
The ensemble also features a host of talented local performers, including Tshepo Ncokoane ( Shrek), Zane Gillion ( Sister Act), Michael Fullard ( Hot Mikado), Michael Wallace ( Rocky Horror Picture Show), Craig Hawks ( Black Sails), Ryan Flynn ( Rocky Horror Picture Show), Samuel Hyde ( Singin’ in the Rain) and Henk Opperman ( Private Presley). The new talent includes Dirk Joubert, Jonathan Raath, Nadine Grobbelaar, Donae Brazer, Lourens Obermeyer and Darius Engelbrecht.
The original Priscilla international director, Simon Phillips, and choreographer, Andrew Hallsworth, will be coming to South Africa to mount the show together with regular resident director Anton Luitingh, musical director Bryan Schimmel and resident choreographer Duane Alexander.
Priscilla premieres at Artscape, Cape Town, on March 28, running until April 23, then moves to Montecasino’s Teatro from April 28 to June 18.
Showtime Management’s Hazel Feldman says: “Priscilla is the ultimate ‘feel-good’ show. This dazzling musical has all the ingredients for a superb night out: the most wonderful costumes, outrageous glamour, music that will have you dancing in your seat and a funny, yet touching storyline. No wonder this show has been such a massive hit from the West End to Broadway and beyond.”
Book at Computicket. Call 0861 915 8000, visit computicket. com or a Computicket service centre. This musical contains strong language and adult themes, so parental guidance is recommended for under 12s. For info: www.showtime.co.za, www.montecasino.co.za or www. artscape.co.za. Hospitality packages as well as show and stay packages available from Montecasino Hospitality and Corporate Events: 011 3674250 or montecasino.reservations@ tsogosun.com. See news on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube: #PriscillaSA.
A scene from