Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Theatre Royal, Newcastle Upon Tyne | 8th April 2026
Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe
Very much a treat for me was heading to Newcastle iconic Theatre Royal for one of my favourite feel-good musicals – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Originally a high camp Australian movie from 1994, it has been given the musical theatre treatment and reimagined for the stage. This particular tour stars the immensely talent Fascinating Aïda doyenne Adèle Anderson, Kevin Clifton, a buff and bronzed Fionan O’Carroll and (for those who are as old as I am) Blue Peter’s quite adorable Peter Duncan.
As the audience enter the auditorium they are greeted by a show cloth depicting an image of the biggest disco ball you have ever seen accompanied by suitably camp and cheesy background music to get everyone into the mood for what is to come. The show starts in a low rent Sydney nightspot named cheekily after a bird (why have a single entendre when you can double up) and its exuberently adorned host Miss Understanding (played tonight by Sario Soloman.) She acts as a kind of warm-up for the show and a jolly fine job of it was done. The audience were in the palm of her hand whooping and cheering and leaving everyone in no doubt as to the level of the show they were about to watch. The opening number introduces the hard working ensemble and the Divas (Leah Vassel, Bernadette Bangura, and Jessie May) who act as a high camp greek chorus throughout the production and offer superb vocals.
From there we get into the story proper and learn that despite being as gay as they come, Tick (Kevin Clifton) has previously been married and some 9 years earlier produced a son, Benji, who is living with ex-wife Marion (Billie Hardy) in Alice Springs in the northern territories of Australia. This sparks a road trip of glamorous and devastating proportions as dad seeks to acquaint himself with the son he has never met. He enlists the help of an aged trans performer Bernadette (Adele Anderson) and a highly strung, Kylie-fanatic Adam (played tonight by Fionan O’Carroll understudying outstandingly for Nick Hayes.)
There is an awful lot goes on in the story, touching on some sensitive subjects such as gender identity, homophobia, loneliness, and grief but does not get bogged down in them. I always find the story touches me and I tend to emerge somewhat misty-eyed but the primary objective of the show is to entertain and entertain it most certainly does.
Bernadette, gets all the best lines and put-downs in the piece and Anderson really embodies this world-weary performer with some skill. Clifton is also sympathetic and warm-hearted as the would be loving father Tick, while O’Carroll is simply exhausting to watch (in a good way) as the head strong and perma-horny Adam/Felicia. As Tick’s former wife Marion, Hardy presents a no-nonsense woman but definitely an ally of the LGBTQI+ community. The interaction between Tick and his son towards the end of the show is what has tears forming as I leave the theatre – EVERY SINGLE TIME. Finlay Christian played the role of Benji this evening and he offered an earnest and realistic performance that belies his tender years. The role of Benji is shared between Christian, Harper Etienne, Joshua Kavanagh, Forrest Mahjouri and Rafe Newton.
The band, led by musical director Richard Atkinson along with his assistant Rickey Long were on top form. The jukebox high-camp soundtrack that underscores the heart-warming story was wonderful from the opening notes to the final bow.
The show was a little tardy in starting this evening. Opening on a Monday can be a challenge especially dealing with a knackered old bus (The eponymous unspoken character of the piece) and Newcastle Theatre Royal’s notoriously raked stage. The ensemble seemed to have their work cut-out more than usual man-handling set and props but they managed excellently allowing the flow of Ian Talbot’s direction to barely falter. The choreography from Matt Cole shows a love of the music and the ensemble appeared to be enjoying every single one of his moves – the enthusiasm passing beyond the fourth wall into an excitable audience from the start. There are a couple of sequences which need either some clever videography (Leo Flint) or superb timing and they were executed perfectly this evening. A special mention should also go to Dialect Coach Michaela Moxham for some truly authentic Aussie twangs from all the cast.
There is also a superb, yet understated performance from Peter Duncan, who as Bob offers an enthusiastic fan of Bernadette’s art form and an understanding of the difficulties all three performers might face. An excellent performance as Bob but also showing superb comic timing as the Preacher too.
This is a happy musical, it is a thoughtful musical, it is raucous, bawdy, and downright filthy in places. It is superb fun and I am sure I would give my left false bosom to take a trip aboard Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Snap a lash for the rest of the tour, girls!
If you’ve not got your tickets for this colourful, glitzy, and glamorous camp fest then don’t hang about – you do not want to miss your chance to have Bernadette, Tick, and Felicia to Color your World!