'Priscilla Queen Of The Desert- The Musical'- Palace Theatre — Page 22

I wonder if Tony will reprise Bernadette or whether they'll try and pull in the punters with American names?

There's a story Tony Sheldon tells where one of his castmates at a production he was in at the time told him about rumours of a musical version of Priscilla and suggested he go up for the title role - at which point he had to remind said castmate that the title role was actually a bus!

Good to hear that rumours of a Broadway transfer are sounding more concrete - interestingly enough, there have been quite a few changes to the script lately, not sure if that's part of an attempt to identify what might work in New York.

And not surprisingly I have to second Mama's opinion: this show would not be Priscilla without Tony Sheldon. Even if it's only for a limited time before they choose to go down the stunt casting route, this show should not open in NYC without the original and the definitive Bernadette in situ.

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Updated On: 10/2/09 at 05:21 PM

What script changes, Tigg?

It would be a travesty if they opened La Cage in Broadway without Douglas Hodge, so would it be if they opened Priscilla without Tony Sheldon, however they are free to find a decent stig!!!

The only downside to Tony Sheldon opening the show on Broadway (which he absolutely must if he so desires) is that he will no longer be gracing the West End with his presence. And I guess Oz would welcome him back with open arms too.

Do you reckon human cloning might be a possibility by March 2011? ;->

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I would have thought the chance to open a show on Broadway would be enough to overcome any character-fatigue (not that he's showing any signs of it at the moment you understand). Who knows, he may even take a break from the role between now and March 2011, take some time off or take on another role and come back refreshed and revitalised?

If he's asked of course.

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How did you get the 20Pounds ticket?? Same day performance?
I will be in London next year, finally! and plan to see a few shows but have not gotten any tickets yet...yeah, wish me luck, haha.

I plan to see Priscilla, Sister Act, Le Cage and Dorian Gray.

Please if you have, give me tips where/how to get cheap tix, thanks much :P

*major thread bump*

Looks like JD is the first confirmed leaver among the main leads:

http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831257854206/Donovan%20Battles%20Kitten%20in%20War%20of%20the%20Worlds%20Arena.html

No word yet on Messrs Sheldon, Thornton & Carter...

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Updated On: 11/11/09 at 03:43 AM

The new Tick ?????????

The Neil Morrissey-as-Tick rumour has been floating round for a few weeks, not sure how likely it is to come true. Not a huge fan of the idea myself - but then again if Tony Sheldon were to leave around that time, Priscilla would lose a lot of its appeal anyway IMHO.

Can Neil Morrissey even sing? (And I do realise that being able to do so isn't exactly a statutory requirement for a lead role in a West End musical nowadays...!)

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Updated On: 11/18/09 at 05:07 AM

Mr Sheldon playing Bernadette must be up there with Carol Channing and her 'Dolly' and Mary Martin in 'The Sound Of Music'.

Priscilla wouldn't be Priscilla with out him.

I've seen Neil live in Guys & Dolls and I remember he has a decent voice. And he was fun on Acorn Antiques. The role of Tick doesn't require a lot of singing, I mean... Jason's not the best singer on earth, so I guess if he can do it, Neil can prob do it ~

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I went to see Priscilla again, when I saw this show the first time I was not over-impressed, I thought I give the show the benefit of the doubt and see if I was wrong. I sat in the Grand Circle for the first half in a £25 seat, I had a reasonable view, I upgraded myself in the second half to the Stalls. The Palace Theatre was 99% full.

Priscilla is like toiling on a hot day, then finding a beer with your name on it, upon drinking, it is warm and flat. It would be churlish of me if I said Priscilla did not deserve a 'Olivier' for best costume, but does not deserve to me nominated for anything else. Tony Sheldon is amazing as 'Bernadette', thought Clive Carter as 'Bob' was very good too, unlikely couple, but great they hit it off, I even thought Jason Donovan has grown more into his role, but still does not carry 'Tick' off brilliantly, he maybe good in dreamcoats but no to frocks and high heels.

Priscilla had some real hilarious moments, but have to say some of the gags are crass. Take away the sparkling bus, the dazzling costumes and the sublime Tony Sheldon who deserves to take Priscilla to Broadway when/if it does and frankly you do not have much left.

Ayers Rock scene just looked very tatty, it looked like something you would see in a school play, a bit of cardboard stuck to a £1m bus, unfortunately schools do not have a £1m bus. The scene before that when they but the show on in Ayers Rock Casino is an amazing piece of theatre.

A disappointment of a show, I was not wrong first time and would recommend other shows such as Sister Act, La Cage aux Folles or Hairspray.

I found the show to be a 'drag'.

Updated On: 11/20/09 at 07:14 PM