Forget K' Road all you sparkling Aucklanders, there is a new ‘drag’ in town and it’s at the Civic Theatre, somewhat appropriately placed, on Queen St. Over 19 months after the giant heel adorning the purple drag bus first debuted in Sydney, Priscilla Queen of The Desert The Musical finally drove it’s way to New Zealand.

The wigs are tall, the lashes long and the heels even longer, this stage production is everything you’d imagine it to be and more. For those who like multiple forms of stimulation, this musical is the business. Full of colour and movement, extravagant sets (including the famous bus and giant heel!) and costumes compliment the acting brilliance of the 3 main actors and peripheral cast perfectly.

For those of you not so familiar with the storyline, Priscilla Queen of The Desert was an Australian film made in 1993 about three drag queens who take a journey from Sydney to Alice Springs for a series of shows, in a bus they anoint Priscilla, and the adventures they have along the way.

The adaptation from screen to stage was quite remarkable and the dialogue remained mostly untouched, apart from a few additions made to give it a more modern feel (although I dare say some of the jokes about AFL and Bunnings may have gone over a few Kiwi’s heads), including the change of the ladies' obsession from Abba to Kylie.

Of course, having the slightest naughty streak in me, I was quite curious to se how they would interpret the infamous ‘ping pong’ scene with Bob’s wife, Cynthia, and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and very amused with the song choice (another change from the film).

Tony Sheldon as the uptight transsexual Bernadette was simply amazing, and most of the time I would have passed him for a woman (and believe me, I can usually tell!). His voice in portrayal of Bernice was also excellent and I very much enjoyed his performance. Jeremy Stanford was also an excellent Mitzi, although I did expect the character to be a bit more out there all the time, as depicted by Hugo Weaving in the movie. Daniel Scott, much like Guy Pierce in the film, was as yummy as a drag queen as he is as a man! Look out for his opening number, it's a sizzler!!

The rest of the cast is all-star, including Bill Hunter reprising is original role as Bob, Colette Mann as an excellent Shirley and Danielle Barnes as Marion. And the song choice and execution would do any drag queen proud. Gotta remember those quivering bottom lips ladies!

Look out for an interactive part of the performance when cast members grab people form the audience to get up on stage and join in the fun, hopefully the shy ones aren’t in the front on the ends!!

Must See - 9/10

Tags: priscilla