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Come on, we all need a bit of fun these days, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical is the perfect remedy to the pingdemic blues. 

Do you remember the Oscar winning film of 30 years ago (30 years!!!) telling the story of two drag queens and a transgender woman as they travel across the outback of Australia to put on a show in Alice Springs? The film was a surprise worldwide success and the stage show perfectly transfers the fun and sequins of the movie to the stage at the Theatre Royal Bath.

Right from the start the almost full audience were clapping along as the story develops among a toe-tapping, hip-bopping, full of fun background of disco and club classics, starting with It’s Raining Men, through to Don’t Leave Me This Way (hilariously played at a funeral!), to Say A Little Prayer, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Go West and so many more.

The music weaves around the tale of Mitzi, played with wonderful energy by the very talented Edwin Ray, who decides to take on the road trip at the request of his wife to not only put on a show in Alice Springs, but to meet his six year old son as well.

Mitzi soon recruits the help of fellow performers Felicia (Nick Hayes) and Bernadette (Miles Western), who aboard their dragmobile transport – Priscilla – set off to bring glitter and glam to the outback. Of course things don’t go completely smoothly, including breakdowns, encounters with not-so-broad minded locals and even a little romance, but throughout the entertainment, music and remarkable costumes keeps coming.

I took my 15 year old daughter along (this is not one for smaller children with an age recommendation of children 13+) who had never heard of the original film and she absolutely loved it, joining in the clapping along and up on her feet with the rest of the audience for the grand finale. To be honest, I wasn’t completely sure whether it would be my cup of tea either but Priscilla is one of those shows where you just can’t help enjoying yourself.

Corny, camp, very silly and utterly predictable, it’s a great excuse for a fun evening out, with the standing ovation at the end utterly deserved.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 26th July to Saturday 31st July. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk