★★★★★
First debuting as a movie in 1994, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert the musical, presented by HAMA Productions, draws upon the gaudy, glitzy glamour in all the best possible ways.
Under Olivia Collier’s astute direction, the cast is amazing, the costuming as decadent as you might expect, and there’s a lot of laughs to be had.
Beginning with main character Tick/Mitzi Mitosis (Cougar Morrison), a big city drag queen with a completely different past life, we’re immediately immersed in his world of feathers, sparkles and innuendo.
When he recruits fellow drag queen Adam Whitely/Felicia (Jake Whitelaw) and transgender woman Bernadette Bassinger (Manuao TeAotonga) for a cross-country mission to Alice Springs, things go ‘tits up,’ and the ensuing bickering, gallivanting and bonding is supremely entertaining.
Meanwhile, Tick has a secret he doesn’t want to tell his friends, adding to the urgency of the adventure.
While these three chaotic companions make their way to Alice Springs, we’re treated to some great musical numbers, under the music and vocal direction of Harry Oliff. These include I Will Survive, True Colours, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and I Say a Little Prayer, to name but a few. These are all absolute belters and go down a treat.
Singing aside, the costuming and stage design are also excellent. The famous bus is recreated and is the standout from set designers CLOC Melbourne, allowing our characters to traverse Australia, albeit a modicum less glamorously than they desired.
There’s also a slew of fabulous outfits, and Marina Del Basso is to be commended for her work in that department. Some costumes changed so rapidly, you’d swear there was witchcraft involved. We weren’t disappointed with the amount of colour, eyeliner and over-the-top hair displayed, so the show definitely excels in that area.
Although the entire cast is a delight, my favourite performance is probably a toss-up between Bernadette and Felicia. Manuao TeAotonga does an excellent job of conveying the nuanced softness of Bernadette.
Jake Whitelaw is incredibly energetic and hilarious as the younger Felicia. Cougar Morrison is also so good as Tick, the leader at the helm of these misfit Three Musketeers.
Having been adapted into a musical in Sydney in 2006, the transition from screen to stage makes perfect sense. Priscilla was made to be seen at the theatre. Its larger-than-life characters, good-natured silliness and penchant for sequins all lend themselves perfectly to the stage.
However, there’s also a deeper message at its core, making it a feel-good, scarf-waving (the audience were given colourful scarves to wave), transfixing performance.
One point to note for attendees, though, is that Priscilla uses language and terms acceptable in the 1990s, but not in use now. It is highly irreverent, inappropriate and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
If audiences aren’t too bothered by this, they will be rewarded with an exceedingly fun experience. I took my husband along, and he was tickled by how funny it was.
HAMA Productions always produces shows of a high calibre, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is no exception. Make sure to buy tickets to this fantastic musical. You’ll find yourself rooting for the unlikely heroes, singing along, and waving your scarf with fervour. You will definitely leave the theatre uplifted and thoroughly entertained.
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert is presented by HAMA Productions runs to 31 October at the Regal Theatre, Perth. 474 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008.
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=PRISCILL26
Website: https://www.hamaproductions.com.au/shows/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-the-musical-2026
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/hamaproductions/
Photo credits: Stuart McKay
Leave a Reply