Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham Review

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There’s something about Priscilla Queen of the Desert that makes it a show people come back to, and I’m one of them.

Having seen the musical a couple of times on previous tours (and even reviewing it years ago), I went into this latest production at Theatre Royal Nottingham with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity. I already knew I loved the show… but I also found myself comparing.

And that’s where it gets interesting.

This current tour is everything you’d expect on the surface, high energy, visually bold, packed with disco anthems, outrageous costumes and a crowd that’s completely along for the ride. It’s undeniably a feel-good night out, and the audience response proves it still works.

But for me, something felt slightly different.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what, but I found myself remembering previous casts and moments that just seemed to land a little stronger. I particularly loved Richard Grieve in the role of Bernadette on an earlier tour, there was a warmth and subtlety to his performance that really stayed with me. That said, the current portrayal is still strong and engaging in its own right.

Similarly, I saw Jason Donovan as Tick in a previous production, and for me, his performance had a slightly more natural emotional pull compared to Kevin Clifton, who brings a steady, likeable presence but perhaps leans a little more into restraint than depth.

Even the staging, while still impressive, felt like it had lost something I remembered. The casino performance scene, in particular, stood out to me as a moment that previously had more impact. Whether it’s down to choreography, casting, or subtle production changes, it just didn’t quite hit in the same way this time.

That’s not to say this production isn’t good, it absolutely is. But when you’ve seen a show multiple times, you start to notice the nuances.

One thing that has always stood out to me is how the stage version compares to the original film. While the musical embraces the fun, flamboyance and spectacle, I do think it loses some of the darker, more emotional undertones that made the film so powerful. The stage show leans more heavily into the humour and silliness, sometimes almost overplaying it, whereas the film balances that with a deeper sense of struggle and realism, and it does slightly change the overall feel of the story.

That said, Priscilla Queen of the Desert remains what it has always been at its core - a story about identity, acceptance, friendship and finding your place in the world. And that message still comes through, even beneath the glitter and chaos.

If you’re seeing it for the first time, you’ll likely love it. If, like me, you’ve seen it before, you might find yourself comparing… but still enjoying the ride all the same.

Love Tx

Priscilla Queen of the Desert runs at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham until Saturday 2nd May. Get your tickets here

Buy the original film version here

Buy the original soundtrack here

Buy the Musical soundtrack here

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