In 1994 Priscilla Queen Of The Desert became a camp, flagship in gay movie history. Famous for its outrageous outfits,stunning visuals, snappy tunes and a stunning performance by Terence Stamp "doing" Veronica Lake with a potty mouth, the film became a vital milestone in gay culture
And so it was with a slightly heavy heart that I went to see the touring production of Priscilla last night over in Llandudno. I had several reservations about going.
1. The production started at 5 pm! Hardly a time to let your hair down with gay abandon
2. The audience's average age must have been around 75 with two old duffers in front of me looking as though they were on portable oxygen!
3 Touring productions are well known to be scaled down and potentially lacklustre versions of the original.
Well I need not have worried, for it was all cracking mindless fun. Ok the lead Mitzi ( Jason Donovan) WAS pretty dismal ( he was out sung and out performed by a delightful seven year old boy on stage!) but the rest of the cast were a delight to watch as they belted out their disco hits whilst decked out in a whole collection of glittering hot pants and feather boas.
The old bloke on his oxygen must have given himself an extra squirt of his O2 by the end for he was up and clapping and waving with the best of them as the elderly and normally slightly staid population of North Wales took a group of multicoloured drag queens to their hearts
PS.EIRLYS....READ YESTERDAY's POST......AND BUY A HAT!
wow looked great love a bit of razz my self but out on the tiles and up at this time of day impressed bet you creep back to bed ready for the clock change to night
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us..I'd forgotten
DeleteAn appropriate way to celebrate the legalisation of gay marriage.
ReplyDeleteI really MUST see the film.
Yes you must
DeleteI saw it in Bradford and Jason Donovan seemed to have a lack of Oomph. Richard Grieve was bloody fantastic though. Well worth a 5pm start!
ReplyDeleteGrieve had a bloody good voice
DeleteLacked the promise it offered then? Pity indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe film was, and is, a 'must-see'.
Is Jason D. STILL trying to make amends for suing that magazine yonks ago for suggesting that he was gay? It's okay, Jase. It's in the past now!
I say him a few years back in the title role of a very odd production of 'Sweeney Todd' where the orchestra were also the actors. A production I wish I could forget - though ought to say that I do LOVE the work itself, when performed 'traditionally' (within reason).
Yes mr Donovan was the worst thing in it
DeleteDonovan is a consummate serious actor now. Perhaps not one able play a light role such as in Priscilla. Raybeard, no, I haven't forgotten The Face mag. I used to buy it.
ReplyDeleteHe played camp BADLY
DeleteThat must have been a colourful & fun night out, John.
ReplyDeleteIt was frothy and fun Cindy.... Just right for a Friday night
DeleteFeather heaven! looks like a brilliant night, mindless fun and disco are favourites of mine, love your blog too, I popped over from Northern Mum down South, am following you immediately x x x
ReplyDeleteAnd the prize for the best blogger names is?
DeletePeaches Mcginty!
Yayyyyyyyyyh
A fabulous movie...I'd be wary of 'imitations' too.
ReplyDeleteJane x
So glad you enjoyed the production John. I thought Jason Donovan was lacklustre when I saw it, but thought you might see a better performance from him. His voice is so monotonous he makes interesting things sound boring! As I well remember from 'Strictly'. The rest of the cast were great.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
Deleteyou! have completely lost the plot LOL!
ReplyDeleteignite the walking dead please 1 is really in need of another dose of the daily news hurts stuck on repeat going to kill that bastard! :0p
Finale aires here Monday night
DeleteOmg!
The makings of a light and fun evening....puts a smile on the face!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it John. I am not a fan of musicals myself and would much rather be mucking out the animals! x
ReplyDeleteGive it a go Simone...... You'd love it
DeleteSounds marvellous to me John. The things you get over there in Wales - we have to make do with songs from the musicals over here.
ReplyDeleteThere was I good theatre in York when I lived there
DeleteI would love to see it (even in Llandudno)!
ReplyDeleteDo they do camp musicals in Spain?
DeleteThis movie has been on my oldies tv station 3 times in the last 5 months I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love Bernadette's one liners
DeleteHoly smokes.....that fella on the right end has some nice legs!
ReplyDeleteLike a young Bambi
DeleteThat's the first thing I thought of - dang those boys have nicer legs than I do! And I have/had pretty nice lookin' legs!
DeleteLoved that movie - my son and I watched it and it is still one of our favorites.
Carol
DeleteIt's an important film on soooo many levels
Especially as the kid in it is the most balanced kid in moviehistory
Love this movie!! and I just read your last post!!! So thrilled for you...What wonderful news!!
ReplyDeletecan not wait to see winnies dress.....if it needs hemming I'm happy to do it!!
I always think of Tennessee Williams when I say miss holy to myself
ReplyDeleteThank you miss holly
I loved the movie too! And would like to see this stage production as well. Maybe it'll cross the pond to Canada?!
ReplyDeleteYou should be glad you didn't go to Cardiff to see 'Noah'.....apparently, it should just go straight to DVD!
ReplyDelete