Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical (Willenhall Musical Theatre Company)

'Everything I touch is turning to gold' is a lyric from the Petula Clark classic 'Colour My World' which has become a bit of an anthem for this musical, the story of three drag queens crossing the Australian Outback in a coach (they christen Priscilla, hence the title). I suspect that the production team from Willenhall Musical Theatre Company, Alf Rai (Director), Lindsey Vickers (Choreographer) and Rob Murray (Musical Director) can now apply that phrase to themselves after an outstanding opening night at the Mill Theatre in Sedgley.

Much of the success factor comes from some majestic casting and incredible on-stage presence in every scene, let's be serious for many of the performers it is hard enough to maintain a convincing Australian accent throughout the production without having to stay balanced on high heels for much of the time as well. James Totney opening the show as Miss Understanding also had to overcome a slightly belligerent curtain that for one moment wasn't keen to draw back and reveal the stage, fortunately he wasn't to be beaten and was able to move on to a amazingly physical performance of Tina Turner's 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.

The leading trio, Daniel Haddon as Tick, Dom Napier as Bernadette and Will Phipps as Felicia are (to quote another Tina Turner song) 'Simply The Best', the characterisation is spot on, the vocals are glorious and the dance moves are faultless. Individually, Daniel has an earthy, powerful vocal, Dom is a born actor and Will has 'performer' oozing out of every pore, one couldn't have asked for better.

Vocals are stunning across the whole production, not least of all the three Divas who provide a sort of 'musical narration and background' to the story and are played with grace and authority by Kelly Ashman, Abbie Wild and (not content with only creating incredible choreography) Lindsey Vickers, some highlights include the Gloria Gaynor track 'I Will Survive' and The Weather Girls 'It's Raining Men' but, frankly every time they open their mouth these ladies sing up a storm.

Almost stealing the show which is incredibly difficult in this production (and even more difficult when up against Oliver Rudge's authentic and convincing performance as Tick's son Benji) were two cameo performances, firstly from Nikki Rai as Shirley opening the Alicia Bridges track 'I Love The Nightlife' and Abbie Sellick as Cynthia performing to the M track 'Pop Muzik', I will leave you to decide where she is hiding the ping pong balls !

Let's not forget the other characters who all add to the incredible whole of this production, James Collins wryly comic as mechanic Bob, Rachel Chadwick as Tick's wife Marion, Cal as Aussie Tour Guide, Jimmy and Jay Picken as Farrah who alongside the chorus make this a real spectacle to behold.

Let me leave you with another lyric from Pat Benetar's 'We Belong' .....  Don't wanna leave you really, I've invested too much time, to give you up that easy ..... and if that isn't how you feel when this show has finished, you've been watching something else.

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