Priscilla: 200 shows and counting

April 9: Priscilla looks certain to be the jukebox musical that explodes out of the pack and becomes a worldwide hit. TROY DODDS examines the success of this uniquely Australian tuner....

It's hard to believe that in October last year, there was plenty of talk that Priscilla wouldn't last until Christmas. Some had even suggested Titanic would win a David v Goliath battle and hurt Priscilla at the box office, while problems with the show's set during preview performances had sceptics relishing. And then, just days ahead of the show's extravagant opening night, the theatre industry was shocked by the death of publicist Judith Johnson, who had been pushing the show hard since it was launched.

One could have forgiven Priscilla for not working, in a way.

It was all right on the night, as they say, and since premiering on October 7, Priscilla has gone from strength to strength. Titanic of course came and went very quickly, the show's troublesome bus has been on its best behaviour and producers have done a tremendous job keeping the show in the limelight despite the tragic loss of Johnson, who earns a tribute in the show's program.

On Wednesday, April 4, Priscilla celebrated its 200th performance at the Lyric Theatre. In musical theatre's current climate, it is a remarkable achievement, and producers seem adamant to see the show reach its first birthday.

The production has sold more than 250,000 tickets to date, and has earned in excess of $20 million at the box office.

“We’re extremely proud of this achievement," says producer Liz Koops. "It’s been a long journey since development began in earnest in January 2006, through to this wonderful landmark of 200 shows. In this time, Priscilla has become one of Sydney’s must-see attractions, both for Australians and international guests."

Priscilla has had the extensive support of the State Government, who have attempted to make it a tourist attraction and included the show's stars in several promotional campaigns, including the launch of number plates celebrating the Harbour Bridge's 75th anniversary.

“Audiences are loving Priscilla, with many people coming back to see the show again and again. It’s a uniquely Australian production with huge appeal," Ms Koops said.

The show has attracted interest across Australia and abroad drawing praise from local and international celebrities. Those who have popped in to see the spectacular production include Sir Elton John, David Wenham, Terence Stamp, John Cleese, Neil Morrissey, Barry Humphries, Jimmy Barnes, Jackie O and Erica Baxter.

Sir Elton John loved the show so much that he is interested in taking the production overseas, and that seems to be the logical next step for the musical, which is so uniquely Sydney that a Melbourne or Brisbane run may simply not garner the same interest or result as in the harbour city. Overseas, however, the love, interest and intrigue of Sydney's major tourist attractions would help the show's success.

Priscilla has been impressive in its publicity efforts, too. A performance on the popular Seven Network show Dancing With The Stars gained huge attention, as did a gig as part of the New Year's Eve celebrations on Channel Ten.

Much has been said about the show's stellar cast, particularly Helpmann Award-favourite Tony Sheldon, but ironically Sheldon was initially not interested in the project.

"Considering that when I first heard the rumours about a Priscilla musical my first reaction was 'NO WAY...I've worn enough frocks', it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my forty-something years in the business," Sheldon says.

"Simon Phillips brought me into the project on day one. The workshop process was by necessity brief to accommodate the dates already booked for the theatre but nonetheless we managed to work through three or four entirely different versions of the script before arriving at the book we have now. The last and most crucial decision was to forego an original score and use the music from the film. I confess I was leery of being involved in a 'jukebox' musical but I now realise this was the turning point in the show's development; if we hadn't used those beloved songs the audience would never have embraced the show as vociferously as they surely have."

Priscilla as a show has come a long way since its opening night, too. A visit back to the Lyric Theatre now would have you seeing quite a different show to the one that premiered on October 7. Scenes have been changed, the script has been tightened and indeed, Priscilla is now more complete than ever.

In the hit and miss world of Australian musical theatre, Priscilla has far exceeded bringing in just the "gay community", as early critics had suggested, and is now set to become of the most successful musicals ever staged at the Lyric Theatre.

The bus rolls on. Bookings: 1300 136 166.

Coming Soon: Join the AussieTheatre.com cameras as the cast of Priscilla take us behind the scenes of the multi-million dollar production. This brand new exclusive video will be online shortly!