Based on the Oscar-winning hit film, the stage version of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical is the ultimate “feel-good” show. The musical features a top notch all-South African cast, and has all the ingredients for a fun night out: the most wonderful costumes, outrageous glamour, music that will have you dancing in your seat and a funny yet touching storyline. The show has been a massive hit from the West End to Broadway and beyond, winning awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical originally opened in Australia in 2006 and various versions have been on tour ever since. It tells the heart-warming and uplifting tale of three drag artist friends who hop aboard a battered old bus – aka “Priscilla” – and go off on the adventure of a lifetime through the Australian Outback, to perform in Alice Springs. On the way they find friendship, love and far more than they ever dreamed of.
With a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses, 23 tons of scenery, a 10m customised bus weighing six tons and a hit parade of dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and I Love The Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical looks like the perfect party night out in Cape Town.
The principal roles will be played by stellar stage, screen and television performers including David Dennis who has achieved prominence in leading roles from classical to contemporary and musical theatre to film and television over the past three decades (Pirates of Penzance, Starlight Classics and the movies 10 000BC, Winnie and Zambezia); Daniel Buys (Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever); Phillip Schnetler (Saturday Night Fever, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and veteran actor, James Borthwick (Sunset Boulevard, Evita and over 200 other productions).
Additional roles are played by Taryn-Lee Hudson (Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys), Chantal Herman (Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Noah of Cape Town) and Candice van Litsenborgh (Annie, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard) with Candida Mosoma (Lion King, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), The Voice of SA finalist, Thembeka Mnguni (High School Musical, Grease) and Durban born Londiwe Dhlomo (Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Puss in Boots) as the three dazzling Divas.
Original Priscilla international director Simon Phillips, together with choreographer Andrew Hallsworth, will be coming to South Africa to mount the show together with resident director Anton Luitingh, musical director Bryan Schimmel and resident choreographer Duane Alexander.
What: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical
When: 26 March to 23 April
Where: Artscape
Book: Computicket
WS
