Priscilla Queen of The Desert – The Musical

A dazzling purple disco ball taking centre stage is a sure sign that a show is going to be full of glitz and glamour. And Priscilla Queen of the Desert did not disappoint on the opening night at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.

There was colour, panache a moral story line and fabulous acting and music. So, what’s not to like about that!

The stage shiner was only surpassed by the brilliantly dolled up drag queens revealed when the opening curtain was raised.

Based on the iconic and Oscar-winning film, this juke box musical follows Bernadette (Adele Anderson), Tick/Mitzi (Kevin Clifton), and Felicia/Adam (Nick Hayes) as they journey across the Australian outback in a ramshackle old bus nicknamed Priscilla, on their way to a remote town to perform in a once in a lifetime show.

Anderson, best known as one-third of the internationally acclaimed satirical cabaret, “Fascinating Aida” was the stand out star, with classic comic timing and charm. Clifton and Hayes matched with impressive singing and dancing, wowing the audience all the way. Peter Duncan played a solid, comfortable preacher.

Divas played by Leah Vassell, Bernadette Bangura and Jessie May joined in the fun as old favourites disco tunes including “Hot Stuff”, “I Will Survive” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, were belted out, making it a night of laughing, toe tapping and clapping along to the classics.

They were joined by Miss Understanding (Garry Lee), Marion (Billie Hardy), Cynthia (Isabella Glanznig Santos), Farrah and young Bernadette (Jak Allen Anderson), Frank (Alexander Emery) and Jimmy (Sario Solomon).

Olivier award nominated director Ian Talbot directed the show with choreography from Olivier award winner Matt Cole and the bright busy stage from Andrew Exeter, over the top costumes from Vicky Gill of Strictly Come Dancing fame, and music led by Richard Atkinson, meant the show was spellbinding from start to finish.

A story of challenging prejudices and adversity told with a sprinkle of glitz and glamour, to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is at The King’s Theatre in Glasgow until 7^th March and then moves to Liverpool Empire from 9^th to 14^th March, Mayflower Theatre Southampton from 16^th to 21^st March, Birmingham Hippodrome from 23^rd to 28^th March, Norwich Theatre Royal 30^th March to 4^th April, Theatre Royal Newcastle from 6^th to 11^th April, Edinburgh Playhouse from 14^th to 18^th April, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff from 20^th to 25^th April, Royal Concert Hall Nottingham 28^th April to 2^nd May.

It then heads to Aylesbury Theatre from 4^th to 9^th May, New Victoria Woking from 11^th to 16^th May, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury from 25^th to 30^th May, Grand Opera House Belfast from 1^st to 6^th June, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin from 8^th to 13^th June, Theatre Royal Brighton from 16^th to 20^th June, Curve Theatre Leicester from 22^nd to 27^th June, Sheffield from 29^th June to 4^th July, Alhambra Theatre Bradford 6^th to 11^th July, rounding off the tour at Hall for Cornwall Truro from 13^th to 18^th July 2026.

For more information and ticket availability, please visit: www.atgtickets.com and www.priscillauktour.com.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.

Photographs courtesy of Johan Persson