Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Review
Priscilla
Queen of the Desert
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
26 October 2015
Reviewed by Laura Mentiply
Before the show I was told that I am in for a night of fun, feathers and fabulousness.I have heard of Priscilla before when it first opened in the UK in London 6 years ago, knew it was something to do with drag acts, but nothing else. I did not know if it was a singing or acted show, or that there was a film that the show is based on.
The Waterside Theatre is in Aylesbury town centre has lots of carparks.There are a couple of Council run carparks that are next door to the venue. They have just changed their pricing, so where before it was only a £1 after 6.30pm, this has changed to 9pm, so you have to buy a standard priced ticket. Leaving the carpark was a bit slow with everyone leaving at same time trying to pull out onto a busy road. The theatre is 5 years old now and still looks sparkly new. It is a modern looking building with inspiration from the local Chilterns, so it has wooden decor with tones of orange and reds.
The staff at the bar was very busy with the amount of people that wanted serving. Once we managed to get served, they were very helpful asking if wanted ice and did not seem stressed that people were getting a bit impatient.
The staff that checked our tickets were very friendly and showed us to our seats very quickly. I can hear them tell everyone as they leave them to enjoy the show and it feels very genuine.
As this venue is still relative new, there is a certain feel you get when you enter the auditorium compared to the other theatres that are a bit dated. There is lots of leg room too. There is an excitement when you sit in your seat and look around. There was also a clue on the stage curtain that this show is based in Australia starting in Sydney with a map trail to get to Alice Springs in the middle. In front of the curtain was a giant lipstick.
The show has a live orchestra which kicks off the show. On come the fabulous Divas singing ‘Downtown’ while the dancers start setting the scene. The main man, Jason Donovan comes on and starts to take off his clothes and then gets dressed into his drag outfit. Having been a Jason fan growing up with him in the 80’s and him being the first poster on my wall, it was strange seeing him like this, but at same time, he played it so well that you forgot who he was as he became his act Tick. The story evolves that he has a wife Marion and 6 year old son Benji who he has never met and it’s time to be a Dad and meet him and hope that he accepts the kind of person he is. Marion has set up a comeback show for him to do as well. So Tick calls on his 2 fellow drag acts who don’t see eye to eye to help him with the show without telling him the real reason and take the road trip all the way to Alice Springs. The road trip has its problems with the two companions fighting, their battered bus breaking down, local villages who are not keen on men dressed as women, all intertwined with appropriate well known songs like ‘Go West’, ‘True Colours’, ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Hot Stuff’. The story comes together in Alice Springs and Tick finally meets his boy who accepts his lifestyle and sexuality. Also the 3 drag queens realise that they are in fact closer than friends that they are like a family who rely on each other for support.
I really liked the show. The costumes were amazing and outrageous that put a smile on your face. From green giant cupcake skirts to big hairpieces. The songs and dancing got my feet tapping and clapping along with the shows energy. The 3 Divas who sing their way through the show were really good with their powerful voices. The story line had a sentimental ending which made me feel good. All the performers looked like they were having fun and enjoying being up on stage. There was nothing I could fault of the show and would definitely recommend this show to others.
Overall rating would have to be a big glittery 5 with feathers on top!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £45 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury until 31 October 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG
