A Different Kind of Royalty

photo via Priscilla's Facebook

Upon arrival in London, there was only one West End show that I knew that I must see, and that is Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I didn't know much about it, but I did know that 1) it was about drag queens and 2) my favorite pop star Kylie Minogue raved about it. That was enough for me to think and talk about it obsessively until I saw it with my own eyes. The Palace Theatre is impossible to miss as it is adorned with sequins, flashing lights, and (of course) a massive stiletto on top of the building. The inside of the theatre was just as exciting as the outside, a massive disco ball hung form the ceiling and the angel sculptures that line the balconies each had a disco ball hanging from its finger. These details were just accents to a show that does not lack fabulosity in any way.

It's hard to describe the story line to someone without giving too much away but what you really need to know is that this show is about three drag queens from Sydney who take a journey across the Australian desert in a bus called Priscilla to fulfill themselves in one way or another--somewhat like a pilgrimage. Along the way, the girls encounter obstacles and they tackle them through euphoric songs, elaborate costumes, and-of course-lots of glitter. Priscilla does more than just provide an enjoyable night out, but it gives the audience a glimpse into the psyche of the drag community, one that most view as nothing but an over the top spectacle. Each one of the main characters has a different story and a different type of connection to the drag community. Mitzy, Felicia, and Bernadette each have an internal struggle that anyone could relate to regardless of one's sexuality. The production, in the form of both visual and musical arrangements, had the audience singing and dancing along to the camp classics but it was still evident that when the characters experienced certain emotions, so did the audience. 

I did not really know what to expect going into the play but I was more than satisfied when I left. It was a much welcomed surprise that Kylie references were heavily dispersed throughout the play, including a brilliant medley of her songs towards the end. I can not recommend this play enough, it is just as visually exciting as you would want a musical to be while really going above and beyond in order to give the audience a unique West End experience.

Jordan Silver

jordansilver@berkeley.edu