There are shows that entertain, and then there are shows that detonate into the auditorium with such high‑octane joy that the audience leaves a little taller, a little sparklier, and a lot more alive. Priscilla Queen of the Desert is firmly in the latter camp.
This glitter‑fuelled juggernaut of a musical lands in the city with all the flamboyance, heart, and unapologetic theatricality audiences could hope for – an irresistible cocktail of disco classics, razor‑sharp humour, and genuine emotional warmth.
Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot OBE with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole and set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, the sassy and joyous Broadway and West End hit musical follows the hilarious and heart-warming journey as three friends travel across Australia in a dilapidated bus nicknamed Priscilla, to put on the show of a lifetime.
Featuring a hit parade of dance floor classics as well as garnering international acclaim, at its core, Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s enduring appeal lies in its heartfelt exploration and celebration of identity, diversity and the journey toward self acceptance.
From the moment the iconic bus rolls into view – resplendent, rebellious, and shimmering with attitude – the production sets its tone: bold, brash, and bursting with life.
The Hippodrome’s expansive stage gives Priscilla room to breathe, and the creative team uses every inch: bold lighting washes the auditorium in neon colour, while the sound design ensures each disco anthem lands with nightclub‑level punch. Lighting and staging work in perfect harmony, transforming the Australian outback into a kaleidoscope of colour and movement.
The jukebox soundtrack is a relentless parade of iconic disco anthems from the 80s and 90s, including Hot Stuff, It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which ignite the stage – while quieter moments offer surprising emotional depth beneath the sequins.
The trio at the heart of the story have an effortless chemistry, their banter razor‑sharp and their individual arcs handled with sensitivity. Ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton is believable as he navigates Tick’s journey toward fatherhood (and who knew the professional dancer also had a decent set of pipes on him!) Adele Anderson shows a quiet resilience in her portrayal as Bernadette, but its Nick Hayes as Felicia who steals the spotlight every time with his fiery defiance – grounding the glitter in something real and resonant.
Visually, the production is an absolute feast. The costumes are a parade of outrageous brilliance – towering headpieces, neon plumage, and gowns that, quite frankly, defy both gravity and logic! Kudos to Strictly’s BAFTA award-winning costume designer Vicky Gill and her team who have designed and created over 100 iconic costumes worthy of the production’s flamboyance.
Yet beneath the spectacle lies a story with bite. The show doesn’t shy away from the prejudice the trio encounters on their journey, and those moments of tension give the narrative its emotional weight. When the characters triumph, it feels earned.
By the finale, the audience is on its feet – partly because the curtain call demands it, but mostly because staying seated simply isn’t an option. Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Birmingham Hippodrome is a riotous, heartfelt, glitter‑drenched triumph – an irresistible reminder that authenticity is the most fabulous act of all.
Unbelievably, this is my first date with Priscilla – but there’ll definitely be a second and maybe even a third such is its lure.
A riot of colour with a beating heart, this production is pure theatrical uplift.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert plays at The Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday, 28th March. Tickets can be booked HERE or by calling 0121 689 3000.
