It was announced today in London, at the UK launch of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, that Australian music theatre star Tony Sheldon will reprise his award-winning performance as Bernadette when the hit musical opens at the Palace Theatre in the West End on 24 March 2009.As one of three friends who travel across the desert to perform a gig in Alice Springs, Sheldon will be joined by fellow Australian, Jason Donovan, in the role of Tick and British performer Oliver Thornton as Felicia.
Sheldon was one of 30 Australian cast members who flew to London on the weekend to perform at today’s launch for the British media and group bookers. The Aussie contingent arrived with some seriously excess luggage which included 40 costumes weighing half a ton, three boxes of ostrich feathers, two kilograms of glitter, 60 lipsticks, 1,000 ping-pong balls, 25 cans of hairspray and 120 pairs of stockings. They performed three of the sensational numbers from the show: I Will Survive, Say a Little Prayer and Finally.
The cast fly out of London after the launch and will commence rehearsals back in Australia in the lead up to the Sydney “Farewell Season” which will run from Tuesday, 7 October at Star City for a strictly limited 12 week season.
The Sydney principal cast comprises Tony Sheldon, Todd McKenney, Daniel Scott, Bill Hunter and Colette Mann.
Since making its world premiere in Sydney on 7 October 2006, Priscilla has gone on to become the most successful Australian musical of all time. After playing almost a year in Sydney the show transferred to Melbourne and then Auckland, wowing both audiences and critics alike.
Priscilla has been seen by over a million people and grossed in excess of AUD$90 million at the box office. It will make its North American début in Toronto in late 2009. Further productions are being considered for Scandinavia, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Italy, France and Japan.
Priscilla features 20-full scale production numbers including the disco classics I Love The Nightlife and Shake Your Groove Thing, over 500 spectacular costumes, 200 gravity-defying headdresses, 23 tonnes of scenery and, as its dazzling centrepiece, a six tonne 10 metre long custom made bus named “Priscilla”.
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical
Lyric Theatre, Star City
From Tuesday, 7 October
For a 12 week limited season
Visit: priscillathemusical.com