Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical stops off at Birmingham Hippodrome until the end of the week - an uplifting Aussie road trip with more glitter than sand.

The scene is set in Sydney, where drag queen Mitzi Mitosis (Kevin Clifton) - the stage name of ‘Tick’ Belrose - is asked by his estranged wife Marion (Billie Hardy) to visit her in Alice Springs. Tic calls on fellow performers Felicia (Nick  Hayes) and Bernadette (Adele Anderson) to create an act that they can take on the road. Felicia (aka Adam) sources a glammed-up camper van for the journey, and the trio go west (sounds like the cue for a song…)

The Priscilla of the title is of course the aforementioned bedazzled bus, and she is a sight to behold - quite a formidable set piece (designed by Andrew Exeter), especially when confined to a stage, and not traversing the outback. 

It’s a heartwarming production, based on Stephan Elliott’s 1994 film, and is packed to the brim with pop classics, and dazzling dance routines, expertly performed by the excellent ensemble, including three divas (Leah Vassell, Bernadette Bangura and Jessie May), who provide pitch perfect vocals for a lip-sync when the need arises - although all three leads also have impressive vocal moments of their own. 

Adele Anderson takes the role of Bernadette - although on Wednesday afternoon the character was played beautifully by alternate performer Dakota Starr - who is touchingly protective of her younger companions, in spite of their differences. 

Kevin Clifton meanwhile has swapped the life of a professional dancer on Strictly to try something different (albeit equally glamorous and fancy-footed). He is not a natural in the world of Drag, but shows off some impressive vocals - and his on-stage chemistry with Felicia is touching and genuine. Speaking of, Nick Hayes is a shining light in the production - from his first scantily clad number through to the suitably extravagant finale.

The music, under the direction of Richard Atkinson, brings the party feeling. When it comes down to it, Priscilla is a jukebox musical par excellence, with enough iconic hits to get people dancing in the aisles. The film became a cult classic, and the musical is well established as a must-see production - with only a few more days in Birmingham before Priscilla takes to the road once again, don’t miss it.

Four Stars

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical was reviewed on Wednesday 25 March by Jessica Clixby at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 28 March