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Get back on the bus -
Priscilla's a stage show June
21, 2006: It was the Australian film that swept the world, and now Priscilla is coming
back - as a multi-million dollar stage musical! AussieTheatre.com's Maz Dixon was there
for the launch of the most anticipated show of the year....
The road in front of Star City is usually packed with buses and tour coaches jockeying for
position along the kerb. Yesterday one really stood out from the pack: though slightly
worn around the edges, she nevertheless glided gracefully through the throng, bedecked in
silver and a very large shoe. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, was back in town.
The launch of the new Australian musical Priscilla:
Queen of the Desert was a colourful affair. As drag queen Trevor Ashley distributed
pink feather boas to the masses, director Simon Phillips introduced the cast. First to
step off the bus was veteran Tony Sheldon, who will be playing Bernadette. Having recently
completed a stint as the flamboyant Roger de Bris in The
Producers, Sheldon should have no problems donning the glittery gowns and stilettos of
Terence Stamp’s character.
Other cast members may have to put in a bit of practice when it comes to dancing and
singing (no miming in this production!) in high heels. Luckily Jeremy Stanford (Mitzi) and
Daniel Scott (Felicia) have a string of theatre credits to their name, including musicals.
Stanford is best known for his title role in The
Buddy Holly Story, and Scott’s most recent gig has been Dusty – the Musical.
While most of the cast and creative team chose to wear black for the affair, there were a
few notable exceptions. ABC children’s presenter Nick Hardcastle was resplendent in
an eye-watering ensemble that featured a glitter-encrusted headpiece in the shape of
Uluru. Costume designers Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel were part of the creative team on
the movie, and if the frocks on display yesterday are any indication the costumes will be
true to the spirit of the film.
While the group were at pains to point out that it was only decided last October to go
ahead with the project, Priscilla’s
transition to the stage should be eased by the fact that many members of the creative team
worked on the film. Not only are Gardiner and Chappel on board, but the film’s writer
and director Stephan Elliot has co-written the stage version. The film’s producer
Michael Hamlyn will be taking on the same role for the musical.
Priscilla
will be facing some stiff competition, but it has a lot going for it. The film has an
iconic status in Australia and the bright costumes and musical numbers are perfect for the
stage. The cast had to go through rigorous auditioning process, “passing themselves
off as everything from Coober Pedy miners to a full Les Girls line up,” according to
Phillips. The survivors of this process gave every impression of being up to the task,
preening and posing convincingly. Yet Priscilla, ceremonially drenched in champagne at the
end of the lauch, may well be the one to steal the show.
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert will have its World Premiere at the Lyric Theatre on
Satrurday October 7. Further information can be found at www.prisillathemusical.com. |
