Priscilla Queen of the Desert Tickets London

Smash-hit musicals Hairspray and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will kick-start their UK tours in June 2021. Hairspray The Musical will open at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 24 June 2021. The show will then travel to: Cheltenham (5-10 July); Southampton (26-31 July); Manchester (2-14 August), Sheffield (16-21 August); Ipswich (23-28 August); Aylesbury (30 August- 4 September); Edinburgh (6-11 September); Bradford (3-18 September); Brighton (20-25 September);  Birmingham (27 September - 2 October); Leicester (4 - 9 October); Nottingham (11 - 16 October); Wolverhampton (18 - 23 October); Dublin (25 - 30 October); Belfast (1 - 6 November); Woking (15 - 20 November); Milton Keynes Theatre (29 November – 4 December) and Blackpool (13 December - 1 January). Priscilla, Queen of the Desert The Musical officially re-opens at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham on 23 June 2021. The show then travels to Leeds (5 - 10 July); Hull (12 - 17 July); Oxford (19 - 24 July); Bath (26 – 31 July); Northampton (2 – 7 August); Glasgow (9 - 14 August); Wimbledon (16 - 21 August); Birmingham (30 August – 4 September); Southend (6 – 11 September); Leicester (13 - 18 September); Bristol (27 September – 2 October) and Southampton (4 – 9 October). It is hoped Priscilla will then return for a West End season. Producer Mark Goucher said: “As the manager of Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham I am acutely aware that venues up and down the UK are crying out for shows. It is vital that we take the necessary steps to get performances going again. It is therefore a delight to be able to announce that two of my shows, under the guise of Mark Goucher Productions will be coming to a theatre near you from this summer. We will, of course, closely monitor all advice coming from the Government and if the start dates need to be delayed we have contingency plans in place to be able to move the starting venue for each show to one later in the tour schedule. ” Following recent Government announcements on theatrical performances, Producers have been quick to put plans in place for many touring and West End productions. Goucher has been able to remount both productions in quick fashion thanks to a loan from the Cultural Recovery Fund. Casting for both productions will be revealed soon.

Joe McFadden will star in the new Priscilla Queen of the Desert UK and Ireland opening in September 2019. The Strictly Come Dancing winner will play the role of Tick/Mitzi previously played by Jason Donovan in the West End production, with Donovan sharing the role with Blue singer Duncan James in the most recent UK tour. McFadden, whos is best known for his television roles Holby City, <heartbeat< cite="">, The Crow Road and Sex, Chips & Rock n’ Roll is no stranger to the stage. His numerous theatre credits include House on Cold Hill (UK tour); The Missing (National Theatre of Scotland); Rainbow Kiss (Royal Court); Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Rent (West End) and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Chichester Festival Theatre);.</heartbeat<> On the announcement, Joe McFadden said: “I’m over the moon to be taking on this new and exciting challenge in a musical that I have been a massive fan of for such a long time. I’m looking forward to working with this wonderful production team, including Jason whose guidance I feel especially lucky to have given his previous experience with the production. I can’t wait to take the Priscilla bus on the road and have a bonzer time making the role my own!” Jason Donovan said: “So pleased to announce Joe be starring in our production. He’s a down to earth, talented guy who will bring enormous warmth to the role of Mitzi. I can’t wait to see him in heels doing those dance routines.... Awesome.” Based on the iconic Australian film of the same name,Priscilla, Queen of the Desert features a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife and Finally This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith. Full casting to be announced. The UK and Ireland tour begins previews at the Dartford Orchard Theatre from 5 September 2019, and will travel to Bradford (17 Sept - 21 Sept), Rhyl Pavilion (23 Sept – 28 Sept), Milton Keynes (30 Sept – 5 Oct), Wimbledon (7 Oct - 12 Oct), Malvern (14 Oct - 19 Oct), Blackpool (21 Oct - 26 Oct), Leicester (28 Oct - 2 Nov), Edinburgh (4 Nov - 9 Nov), Liverpool (11 Nov - 16 Nov), Inverness (18 Nov - 23 Nov), Manchester (25 Nov - 30 Nov), Brighton (17 Dec 2019 - 04 Jan 2020), Southampton, Plymouth Nottingham Dublin Cambridge, Newcastle Southend and Sheffield. Full tour dates can be found here www.priscillauktour.com

Actor, radio host and musical theatre star Jason Donovan is branching out into producing musicals. The former Neighbour's star is joining forces with March Goucher to produce a new production of hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance. The first time Producer said “Having spent years performing and always harbouring the desire to become more involved in the creative process, I am delighted to be joining Mark Goucher as a Producer on this wonderful show." Donovan knows the show well having performed in the original West End production as well as two subsequent UK tours. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert features a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife and Finally This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith. The production will open in Dartford in September 2019 and will then tour throughout the UK and Ireland. Full tour dates can be found here www.priscillauktour.com

Duncan James leads new UK tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Duncan James, former member of boy band Blue, is to star in an upcoming tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Starting in Manchester this Summer, the show will tour Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Brighton, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Glasgow and Torquay. Based on the Australian film starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce & Terence Stamp, Priscilla Queen of the Desert follows two drag queens and a transgender woman on a journey, travelling by bus from Sydney to outback Australia. The musical features pop songs including "It's Raining Men", "Say A Little Prayer" and "Hot Stuff". Producer David Ian said: "I am absolutely thrilled that audiences have demanded more of Priscilla! The reaction the show gets at theatres everywhere is like something I've never witnessed before – it is truly a party not to be missed. Having Duncan James play Tick is just the icing on the cupcake!" Duncan James previous West End theatre credits include Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde and Billy Flynn in Chicago. Full tour dates for Priscilla Queen of the Desert below14-29 August 2015 -Manchester Opera House31 August - 5 September 2015 - Sunderland Empire14-19 September 2015 - Mayflower Theatre Southampton21-26 September 2015 - Regent Theatre Stoke2-7 November 2015 Theatre Royal Brighton14-19 March 2016 - Congress Theatre Eastbourne21-26 March 2016 - Marlowe Theatre Canterbury29 March-2 April 2016 - Kings Theatre Glasgow11-16 April - Torquay Princess Theatre

Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical will end its run at the Palace Theatre in London after Christmas this year. The show, which celebrated its 1,000th performance at the Palace Theatre last Saturday 3 September, will close on 31 December 2011 after over two and a half years in the West End. Next month Ray Meagher, who is best known for playing Alf Stewart in Aussie soap Home and Away, will re-join the West End cast as mechanic Bob, performing alongside Don Gallagher as Bernadette, Richard Grieve as Tick and Oliver Thornton as Adam. Based on the Oscar® winning movie, the production has won both Tony and Olivier awards and tells the story of three drag queens who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback, travelling there on battered old bus called Priscilla. The show first premiered in Sydney, and opened in March on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in New York. Productions for Italy and Brazil are planned. LINKS SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical at the Palace Theatre in London

FINAL WEST END PERFORMANCE NOW CONFIRMED FOR 31 DECEMBER 2011 Tomorrow, Saturday 3 September 2011, the West End production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical will celebrate its dazzling 1000th performance at the Palace Theatre. Oscar®, Tony and Olivier award-winning Priscilla Queen of the Desert tells the story of three friends who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With an astounding array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical opened at the Palace Theatre in March 2009. The production will now have its final West End performance on 31 December 2011 (see listings information below for 2011 Christmas performance schedule). Next month Ray Meagher, best known on television for playing Alf Stewart in the long running Australian soap Home and Away, will re-join the West End cast as mechanic Bob following his hugely successful run in the show last year. He joins Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Richard Grieve (Tick) and Oliver Thornton (Adam) who play the glamorous Sydney-based performing trio. Australian born Ray Meagher’s acting career has spanned a period of over 35 years on film, television and stage. His is best known for playing the ongoing role of Alf Stewart in the Australian soap Home and Away, a role which he has played since the first episode of the series in 1988. In 2010 Meagher won the Gold Logie Award for the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. In 2007 he joined the Australian cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical to play Bob in the original Sydney production. Meagher has worked extensively in pantomime throughout the UK, most recently playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan in Tunbridge Wells. His extensive Australian theatre credits include work for Queensland Theatre Company and the Adelaide Festival. His many film credits include Breaker Morant, The Chamberlain Report and Mail Order Bride. Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical had its world premiere in Sydney in October 2006 and subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. After a return Sydney season and a recent run in Toronto, in March this year the Broadway production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical opened at the Palace Theatre in New York. Further international dates are planned for Italy and Brazil. Discussions are also taking place regarding other international territories including Scandinavia, Germany and Asia. Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, Choreography is by Ross Coleman, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Production Design is by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Oscar®-winning Costume Designs, which were originally designed for the film. BAFTA Award winning Make Up Design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and Sound Design by Michael Waters. Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, John Frost, Michael Chugg, David Mirvish and The Really Useful Group, in association with MGM on Stage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Release issued by: Premier PR LINKS SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical at the Palace Theatre in London

West End Live 2011 photos including Jonathan Wilkes in Chicago, and the casts of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and The Lion King. LINKS More News on West End Live Book tickets to Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre Book tickets to The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre View West End Live photos of Rock of Ages and Betty Blue Eyes View West End Live photos of The Wizard of Oz and Crazy For You View West End Live photos of Ghost The Musical, Wicked and Jersey Boys View West End Live photos of Legally Blonde and Lend Me A Tenor View West End Live photos of Billy Elliot and Love Never Dies    

Ray Meagher, best known on television for playing Alf Stewart in the long running Australian soap Home and Away, will re join the West End cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical as mechanic Bob from 5 October 2011, following his hugely successful run in the show last year. With booking now open at the Palace Theatre until 7 January 2012, Meagher joins Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Richard Grieve (Tick) and Oliver Thornton (Adam) in the internationally award-winning musical at the Palace Theatre. Earlier this month Tim Chappell and Lizzy Gardiner won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical, having previously received an Oscar® and a Laurence Olivier Award for their work on Priscilla. Based on the Oscar® winning film Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. Australian born Ray Meagher’s acting career has spanned a period of over 35 years on film, television and stage. His is best known for playing the ongoing role of Alf Stewart in the Australian soap Home and Away, a role which he has played since the first episode of the series in 1988. In 2010 Meagher won the Gold Logie Award for the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. In 2007 he joined the Australian cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical to play Bob in the original Sydney production. Meagher has worked extensively in pantomime throughout the UK, most recently playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan in Tunbridge Wells. His extensive Australia theatre credits include work for Queensland Theatre Company and the Adelaide Festival. His many film credits include Breaker Morant, The Chamberlain Report and Mail Order Bride. The current principal cast Don Gallagher (Bernadette), Richard Grieve (Tick), Oliver Thornton (Adam) and Mark Moraghan (Bob) are joined by Gemma O’Duffy, Charlotte Riby and Lucinda Shaw as the three Divas, Newley Aucutt as Miss Understanding, Selina Chilton as Marion, Liz Ewing as Shirley, Tristan Temple as Jimmy, Kanako Nakano as Cynthia, Steven Cleverley as Farrah/Young Bernadette and John Brannoch as Frank. Completing the company are James Cohen, Tim English, Steven Grace, Hugo Harold Harrison, Matt Krzan, Frances Mayli McCann, Lucy Newton, Callum Nicol, Ian Oswald, Will Peaco, Olivia Philip, John Phoenix, Graham Vick and Graham Weaver. Priscilla is a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical had its world premiere in Sydney in October 2006 and subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. After a return Sydney season and a recent run in Toronto, in March this year the Tony award-winning Broadway production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical opened at the Palace Theatre in New York. Further international dates are planned for Italy and Brazil. Discussions are also taking place regarding other international territories including Scandinavia, Germany and Asia. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, Choreography is by Ross Coleman, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Production Design is by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Oscar®-winning Costume Designs, which were originally designed for the film. BAFTA Award winning Make Up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and Sound design by Michael Waters. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, John Frost, Michael Chugg, David Mirvish and The Really Useful Group, in association with MGM on Stage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. LINKS Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert in London

Photos of the new cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre in London, including Richard Grieve as Tick and Mark Moraghan as Bob, joining existing players Don Gallagher as Bernadette and Oliver Thornton as Adam. Based on the Oscar® award-winning film Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. Priscilla is a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous. The cast is Newley Aucutt, John Brannoch, Selina Chilton, Steven Cleverley, James Cohen, Daniele Coombe, Tim English, Liz Ewing, Don Gallagher, Steven Grace, Richard Grieve, Hugo Harold Harrison, Matt Krzan, Frances Mayli McCann, Mark Moraghan, Kanako Nakano, Lucy Newton, Callum Nicol, Ian Oswald, Gemma O’Duffy, Will Peaco, Olivia Philip, John Phoenix, Charlotte Riby, Lucinda Shaw, Tristan Temple, Oliver Thornton, Graham Vick and Graham Weaver.   [ngg src="galleries" ids="26" display="pro_horizontal_filmstrip"]

As Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical approaches its second birthday in the West End, Richard Grieve, best known for his role as Jonny Foster in ITV1’s Emmerdale, will join the Company to play Tick from Monday 7 March 2011. Grieve joins cast members Don Gallagher (Bernadette) and Oliver Thornton (Adam) in the Olivier award-winning musical at the Palace Theatre, which is booking until 7 January 2012. Later this month the Broadway production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert will start previews on 28 February, with opening night on 20 March 2011. Richard Grieve’s most recognised roles include Jonny Foster in Emmerdale, Dr Lachlan Frazer in Home & Away and Sam Kratz in Neighbours. His UK stage credits include national tours of Footloose The Musical, Dial M For Murder and There’s No Place Like A Home. Based on the Oscar® award-winning film Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. Priscilla is a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical had its world premiere in Sydney in October 2006 and subsequently wowed audiences and critics alike in Melbourne and New Zealand, becoming the most successful Australian musical of all time. After a return Sydney season and a recent well received run in Toronto, further international dates are in discussion for productions in Italy, Brazil, Scandinavia and Germany. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction is by Simon Phillips, Choreography is by Ross Coleman, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Production Design is by Brian Thomson. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner have re-created their Oscar®-winning Costume Designs, which were originally designed for the film. BAFTA Award winning Make Up design is recreated by Cassie Hanlon. Lighting is designed by Nick Schlieper and Sound design by Michael Waters. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is produced in London by Liz Koops and Garry McQuinn for Back Row Productions, Michael Hamlyn for Specific Films, Allan Scott, John Frost, Michael Chugg, David Mirvish and The Really Useful Group, in association with MGM on Stage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre - Christmas in the West End

Ben Richards (The Bill) stars in this fabulous feel-good musical full of dazzling costumes and dance-floor classics, based on the Oscar award-winning film. Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert More information about the show More information about the Palace Theatre VIDEO Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre. LINKS Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL-1r9cFg6M

Home and Away's Alf Stewart, aka Australian actor Ray Meagher, has joined the London cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert this week at the Palace Theatre. Ray Meagher in the Sydney production of Priscilla Ray plays ocker mechanic Bob who falls for Bernadette, one of the three Sydney drag queens who go bush across Australia in the fun show based on the hit movie. Ray has already played the role of Bob in the Sydney run of the show, and will play London for a strictly limited time. Other cast in the long-running show include The Bill's Ben Richards as Tick, Oliver Thornton as Adam and Don Gallagher as Berndaette. Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre

Jason Donovan to leave hit musical Priscilla. The Bill star Ben Richards to take over as Tick. Ben Richards as Tick in Priscilla Jason Donovan, the star of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre in London, is to leave the show this June. Donovan, who led the first UK cast of the show in the starring role of Tick, has appeared in the musical since March 2009. The role of Tick will be taken over by Ben Richards, best known for playing hunky PC Nathaniel Roberts in ITV drama The Bill. Britain's longest-running police drama, The Bill was recently axed by ITV in a prime-time shakeup that sees the drama end its run on UK screens this autumn. As well as his high-profile TV work in shows including Footballer’s Wives, Ben Richards  is also a musical theatre star having played numerous roles including Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Danny Zuko in Grease, Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever and Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty. Richards told the Daily Mail, "If I'm scared, I'm happy. It's a challenge... And it's a gay character and I want to play it right. Hopefully, I can nail it.' Ben Richards as himself! The Olivier award-winning show has also extended its booking period to May 2011.  The other main cast members remain the same including Don Gallagher as Bernadette, Oliver Thornton as Adam and John Bowe as Bob. SPECIAL OFFER: SAVE £13.50 ON TICKETS TO PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The critics' reception to Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre in London, which officially opened on Monday, was decidedly mixed, although mostly middle of the road - which is fitting for a musical based on a road movie. There was no doubt on the merits of the design, and the cast and direction were largely praised. However, the source material (i.e. the movie), or what was done with it, led to most of the criticism. Michael Coveney in The Independent and Michael Billington in The Guardian gave the show 2 stars, with Charles Spencer in The Telegraph, Nicholas de Jongh in the Evening Standard and Benedict Nightingale in The Times opting for 4 stars. Here's a quick round-up of the reviews: FIRST OFF Michael Coveney: "I will survive, I'm sure, but the Priscilla wave that caught the Palace Theatre last night was a pretty strong blast of lethal elements..." Michael Billington: "Compared with the warmth and joie de vivre of La Cage aux Folles, this musical version of the famous 1994 Australian movie feels like a synthetic spectacle." David Benedict: "Simon Phillips' enjoyably shameless tuner restyling of this tale of self-affirmation on heels and wheels doesn't so much teeter toward as topple into self-indulgence. But audiences happily whipped up into having, in every sense, a gay old time are likely to overlook its curious flaws." Charles Spencer: "Those who like their musicals tasteful, subtle, and preferably written by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Trevor Nunn should give this wildly entertaining new import from Australia a wide berth. It makes Mamma Mia! seem like something by Chekhov." Benedict Nightingale: "Let's reassure those who recall the film of Priscilla, or helped to make it the cult it remains, that the stage version has everything, maybe more than everything, they could reasonably expect." Ian Shuttleworth: "The basic story - two drag queens and an older transsexual journey in an old coach from Sydney to Alice Springs to do a show and to introduce Tick to his young son - is there, but little more." Nicholas de Jongh: "Priscilla Queen Of The Desert comes flouncing and flaunting into the West End. I welcome it with open arms and a glad rag-bag of positive adjectives. London has never played host to a musical pitched on a higher level of gayness and camp comedy, transsexual barrier-breaking and bitchy, witty drag-queenery, than this ingenious adaptation of the sensational film of the same name." ON JASON DONOVAN MC: "Donovan, it has to be said, seems to have lost what little stage personality he had developed as Joseph in the Deamcoat, and turned, well, rancid." DB: "Jason Donovan... possesses adequate skills, but his stage wattage never rises above warm." CS: "Jason Donovan is engagingly gauche and touching as a gay man facing up to the responsibilities of fatherhood BN: "And at least when he's in his paternal mode, Donovan also brings a little gravity and texture to a potentially bland character." ON THE DESIGN MC: "The divas descend from Sydney Harbour Bridge, cleverly evoked by legendary designer Brian Thomson. But that's as good visually as it gets." MB: "What the show is really about is spectacle; which, thanks to Brian Thomson's production design and the costumes of Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, is hurled across in bucketloads." DB: "The production's most extravagantly successful element -- its design. Brian Thomson's sets -- especially the impressively lit bus -- may be the show's real star." BN: "There's energy, fun, tunefulness and, above all, the most outrageous swirl of costumes that I, who have seen La Cage aux Folles and even boggled at Ian McKellen's Widow Twankey, have yet encountered." DB: "Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner's ceaseless parade of spectacular costumes, making "Wicked" look like a weekend in Amish country." CS: "The costumes and wigs are almost insanely over the top and feature so many feathers one begins to fear for the survival of the ostrich as a species; even the bus Priscilla is an ingeniously mechanised and cunningly designed delight." ON THE DIRECTION MC: "Simon Phillips's production is slick, well-organised and fairly enjoyable." NdJ: "Simon Phillips's production artfully exploits the fact that drag queenery relies on excess and exaggeration." MB: "Simon Phillips directs this kaleidoscopic extravaganza with martial skill." CS: "Simon Phillips's production has a driving energy and a palpable mission to delight" ON THE HUMOUR CS: "... the one-liners and snide put-downs are also wonderfully funny and there was one gag involving a man nicknamed Trumpet and a ginger nut biscuit that almost had me out of my seat and writhing helplessly in the aisle." BN: "There are wisecracks galore ("we'll be nothing but skin and silicone", moans Tick after that desert breakdown) and songs you'll recognise, starting with Downtown, ending in Always on My Mind." The critics: Michael Coveney, The Independent Michael Billington, The Guardian David Benedict, Variety Charles Spencer, The Telegraph Benedict Nightingale, The Times Ian Shuttleworth, Financial Times Nicholas de Jongh, Evening Standard

Save £15 on tickets to see Jason Donovan in the smash-hit new musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert Monday-Thursday Evenings and Thursday Matinees until the 27th May Priscilla Queen of the Desert has just celebrated its first fabulous year at the Palace Theatre in London, flushed with critical acclaim and audience adoration. Based on the Oscar winning film, Priscilla is a spectacular new musical about three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus named Priscilla and take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. Britain's very own adopted Aussie Jason Donovan stars as Tick and handsome young leading man Oliver Thornton plays Adam in this crowd-pleasing spectacular. This multi-million pound production includes 500 outrageous costumes from the movie's Oscar-winning designers Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner and 28 of the most glamorous and talented performers in the West End, with songs including I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Shake Your Groove Thing, Don't Leave Me This Way and Finally. Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a must-see, fabulous evening in London theatre and a West End theatre smash-hit. Save £15 on tickets to see Jason Donovan in the smash-hit new musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert Monday-Thursday Evenings and Thursday Matinees until the 27th May

Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical shimmies into the West End tonight, starting previews at the Palace Theatre in London's West End. Billed as the ultimate feel-good show, pre-opening buzz and reports from its run in Sydney suggest that the musical's timing is perfect. With acres of chiffon, millions of sequins and some show stopping numbers, it promises to banish any feelings of gloom from the capital. Based on the Oscar award-winning film, PRISCILLA tells the story of Tick (Jason Donovan), Bernadette (Tony Sheldon) and Adam (Oliver Thornton), three glamorous Sydney drag queens who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. The road trip that ensues proves to be a heart-warming, uplifting adventure as they hop onboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship. An array of outrageous costumes, spectacular sets and a score of dance-floor classics promises to raise the bar on fun in the West End this Spring. An unashamed crowd-pleaser. BOOK TICKETS TO PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT