One of Edinburgh’s leading amateur theatre companies, The Bohemians, are taking audiences Down Under with their fabulous production of the cult classic jukebox musical “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. The company have also moved into Capital Theatres’ Festival Theatre for this production, ensuring to give their fabulous divas and queens the large stage they deserve. ”Priscilla Queen of the Desert” follows three friends, Tick, Bernadette, and Adam, as they embark on a road trip across the Australian Outback in a bus named Priscilla, to perform a drag show in Alice Springs, encountering various characters and challenges along the way. Running until Saturday 15th March, this is a production not to be missed.
Greg McCafferty-Thomson is fantastic as Tick. Greg nails the Australian accent, with this he brings such confidence, charm and wit to the conflicted drag queen. His voice is superb – especially during the lovely number ‘Always on my mind’. Greg is accompanied on stage by Dean McAvoy as the hilarious and glamourous Adam, who brings wonderous light to every scene he features. Rounding off this trio is Graeme Melvin as Bernedette, who brings both vulnerability and fierceness to this transwoman, showing her courage in the face of constant adversity, also she’s bloody hilarious, especially the delivery of a certain iconic line.
Russell Coid is brilliant as Bernedette’s love interest, Bob, who radiates kindness and Ozzy charm, also the scenes with Kirsten Simpson as Cynthia (if you know, you know) are comedy gold! The divas in this production supply incredible vocals throughout the musical, Rosie Sugrue, Felicity Thomas and Emily-Jane Lister tackle iconic numbers such as ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ with ease. These three are some of the best amateur singers I have heard on a stage.
Joshua Daniel Fleming is sassy, confident and has brilliant vocals as Miss Understanding, as a supporting role they make an impact every time they’re on stage. Lynne Sadler brings a lovely version of Marion to stage with great delivery of the tongue in cheek jokes with Tik and a clear maternal loving figure to Benji. Bethany Dunion also features as Shirley – the most outrageous landlady you’ll ever meet, this is a hilarious performance.
Finn Craig and Oliver Thomson both share the role of Benji, with Finn playing Tik’s estranged son during press evening. Finn was brilliant during this performance, of an innocent cheeky chap who adores the chaos of his mother and father’s life.
This production has a massive ensemble who tackle energetic choreography and supply sublime backing vocals. The ensemble of this production are as follows – Abby Pickavance, Ali Wood, Alice Hardy, Alson McKay, Andrew Knox, Angela Duncan, Becky Campbell, Christine Mills, Claire Robertson, Craig Atkins, Daphne Nelissen, Dom Sugrue, Donald Randall, Eilidh Lyle, Ellie Harkness, Emilia Bogdanova, Emma Kantor, Emma Clarkson, Fiona Johnston, Gillian Bruce, Gillian Reilly, Greg Lamb, Gustav Selstam, Hannah Lorimer, Hannah Anderson, Jenni Whigham, Karen Edwards, Katy Williamson, Keith Starsmeare, Kim Robb, Kirsty Tomassi, Kyla Shirlaw, Lee McHugh, Martha Bendfeldt, Max Mitchell, Pam Walinck, Samantha Doig, Shona Sandison, Stuart Williamson and Susan Leask.
The creative team for this production had a mammoth task of taking an amateur company used to performing on a smaller stage, and creating a large theatrical production on one of the biggest in the country. Priscilla translates well on the big stage and director Malcy J Burnett has done an overall good job of creating a high standard production, utilising the professional resources the Festival theatre has to offer for large set pieces and flying characters, also having the space for a fabulous bus! That being said there is some moments with set being brought on and off that was slightly clunky and could have been better thought out, although this was the first evening so could have been down to teething issues which is to be expected with such a monumental production. Finlay Turnball’s musical direction of this production is stunning, the music featured sounds incredible, the band sounded professional and so did the performers. Fiona Burns’ choreography fills the stage brilliantly, energising each musical number.
The Bohemians’ production of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” colours the world of all audience members witnessing this vibrant, funny and camp production. Get tickets for your trip down under whilst you still can!
Get your tickets here – https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-the-musical/2337
Photography – Ric Brannan
Theatre Scotland 
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