PRISCILLA THE PARTY - REVIEW

Immersive experiences and shows with immersive twists appear to be the latest trend in the theatre world, with multiple throughout London – of course, the first which spring to mind are Guys & Dolls, and Mamma Mia The Party. Well, now another musical has had a party makeover. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, based on the 90s movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, becomes Priscilla The Party, and you can expect to have heaps of fun.

Walking into the Here @ Outernet venue, it’s clear that this venue is new, and no expense has been spared. A platform is raised in the middle of the room, and there are preshow performances from the cast.

When booking tickets you can opt for standing or seated, there are also dining options. If you opt for standing, you are immersed within the show, with platforms moved throughout the crowd, and performers popping up around you. With a production like this, direction needs to be slick and seamless, and stage managers are even more vital than usual to ensure the crowd are in the right places and everything runs smoothly. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as polished as one might hope, there were moments when audience members were unsure where to stand and if they could move forward, as the stage managers did not communicate clearly enough, although I’m sure this is a teething problem which will be rectified throughout the show’s run. The platforms are pushed rather than raised and lowered, which hinders how smooth the transitions are.

Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner’s costumes are fun, vibrant, and camp. There are a ridiculous number of costumes within the show, and each seems to improve upon the next. The wigs are stunning and elevate each look. A large screen on stage projects Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella’s video design, which is impressive, bright, and colourful, bringing the joyous feel of this show to the forefront. It also helps us to follow the settings of each scene, supplementing the need for too many set pieces.

With a book by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott, and additional material from Phil Scott, the main change from a previous iteration is the character Gaye Cliché, who introduces and hosts the show. This is a jukebox musical and is jam-packed with pop music from Kylie to Gloria Gaynor, and the audience does sing along, well at least they couldn’t help themselves on media night. There is also the inclusion of an additional song for this production; Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, which creates a poignant, tender moment.

The cast all shine throughout, Reece Kerridge brings an infectious energy, that means you can’t help but mirror his smile. Trevor Ashley displays great comedic timing and delivery, Owain William has a great stage presence, and both himself and Kerridge are in sync throughout their dances. Dakota Starr’s vocals have a delightful tone. However, it is worth noting that more could be done in terms of diversity within the cast, especially within the main roles.

The show is broken up into three Acts, with 10-minute breaks between, this does somewhat hinder the show’s pacing. Plus, the lack of set pieces, and clunky movements of staging means that at times it can feel disjointed, and becomes somewhat difficult to follow along – particularly for those that are unfamiliar with the plot. It turns into a show of musical numbers at times, and the story feels secondary – similar to Mamma Mia The Party, which is deficient in plot. But this feels slightly disappointing here because the story of Priscilla is a very enjoyable one.

Whilst there are aspects of this production that could be polished, and I wish Priscilla the tour bus could be brought to life, this is an incredibly fun show. The cast gives great performances, and the choreography is varied, interesting, and tightly performed.

I’m sure with more time this will blossom into a ripper of a show, that is sure to colour your world.

Priscilla the Party is currently booking until the end of September 2024 – find out more here!

{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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