@ Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh, until Sat 2 Jan 2016; and
@ King’s Theatre, Glasgow, from Tue 29 Mar to Sat 2 Apr 2016
The gay ghetto sounds like something out of the last century—and with today’s demands for diversity and equality and liberty, it very nearly is. Drag artist Tick (Jason Donovan) is getting ratty about his career as Mitzi Matosis working the bars of Sydney’s King Street. Then he gets a phonecall. He has a new gig in Alice Springs some 2,000 kilometres across the bush. He takes his two companions and fellow dragsters: one gay, Adam (Adam Bailey) and one transgendered, Bernadette (Simon Green). Tick is an old-fashioned lip-syncer while Adam, who styles himself a “gender illusionist”, sings his own songs. Priscilla is the name of the gang’s bus. There’s gonna be tension.
Based on the 1994 Aussie independent movie, which featured many cheesy disco hits, the stage show encompasses sexual identity, homophobia, gay bashing and more… a musical stage adaptation was by no means inevitable.
Since its debut in 2006, the musical has been immensely popular. It’s clever choice of singalong hits (the arrangements are often surprising and stunning) make for a guaranteed Good Night Out—and you know this from the moment Jason Donovan barnstorms on stage. There are plenty of goodhearted Kylie jokes and Scotland’s own Karen Dunbar gives a hilarious cameo, while Gavin Mitchell plays one of the few straight (in more ways than one) roles.
Despite its radical roots, the show has pulled off an enviable trick in telling a genuinely moving story as Tick reveals his secret family. There is much bathos and life-affirming feel goodness that counterpoint the candy-coated songs. And like all the best musicals, there is danger and jeopardy. The boys travel across Australia’s heart of darkness of reactionary small-town, small-mindedness and in the process find themselves, discover their homeland and resolve issues.
It’s all done with great passion and panache. And while it’s never preachy, it’s funny and touching. “No matter how tough you think you are [being called names] still hurts,” says Adam after the bus is spray-painted with nasty words. Jason Donovan equips himself well, though he is no belter. His vocal range is thrown into perspective against the Divas back-up trio but he is very affecting in numbers like Say a Little Prayer and Always on My Mind which bring a hush to the auditorium.
If you’re into pink you’re going to like this show—from the pink carpet at the front door, to the pink-lit glitter balls inside that make the Playhouse’s auditorium positively shimmer (the lighting is by Nick Schlieper). When one of Tick’s colleagues comes on stage to sing the old Tina Turner number What’s Love Got to do With It? the answer comes back: everything!
The show owes a huge debt to Beach Blanket Babylon with its pioneering use of outrageous costumes. Director Simon Phillips brings a great cast and band together for what is surely a true alternative to panto season. Although, come to think of it, didn’t panto invent cross-dressing in the first place?