(ad) We were provided with press tickets for this review in April 2026.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert is performing at Newcastle Theatre Royal this week.
Having never watched the film or stage show before, I was going into this one blind. I do love a good musical though and figured this one would make for the perfect Easter night out.
As a big Strictly fan, I was over the moon that this production stars the one and only Kevin Clifton and the show’s costumes are designed by BAFTA winner Vicky Gill (also of Strictly fame).
Need to know:
📆 6 - 11 April 2026
🫶 Captioned performance available
⌚ 2 hrs 25 mins including interval (Act One: 1 hour 2 mins / Interval 20 mins / Act Two : 1 hour 3 mins)
⚡Triggers: Strong language, adult content, flashing lights, smoke, confetti cannons, haze and loud noises
🎫Tickets available from £23
✅Recommended for ages 14+
After watching a string of fairly intense performances recently (including Hamlet, Woman in Mind and I, Daniel Blake), I was hoping Priscilla would provide exactly what my Bank Holiday Weekend needed - a fun night out with singing, dancing and laughter. It certainly delivered.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert follows two drag queens and a trans woman as they road trip across Australia in a battered old bus (which they’ve named Priscilla).
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The show is packed with laughs and innuendo alongside some tender moments and it also covers serious points including homophobia & transphobia both within the queer community and more widely.
Tick is finally trying to be the father he can be. Bernadette wants somebody who loves her for the woman she is and Felicia just wants to climb a mountain and blast out Kylie to the universe in drag. The main message running throughout is about accepting yourself for who you are and as an audience, we follow the trio on their journey towards this.
It’s a musical and I will say that a couple of the songs were perhaps a little poppy for my taste (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and It’s Raining Men for example) but I was having the time of my life as ‘Finally’, ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and ‘Always On My Mind’ were brought to life on stage.
And let's just say their version of What's Love Got To Do With It is very different to the version I watched in Tina : The Musical a few weeks ago and had the audience in fits of giggles 😂
It is a little rude in places and there were a couple of gasps from the audience at times. Nothing too bad though and I would have been fine sitting through this with my teens.
As I found my seat in the theatre I could hear the band warming up and I was so happy to glance down and see the band in the Orchestra Pit. I always think it really adds to the occasion when you can see the band and it feels special when this happens.
The show packs in hit after hit but the two real highlights for me were a beautiful rendition of True Colours which left me with tears in my eyes and a stunning version of Kylie’s Confide in Me which brings closure to their three stories.
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Kevin Clifton may be the headline act and of course delivers but Adele Anderson who plays Bernadette was fantastic and played her part with ease. One of those performances where it feels like there is no line between the act and the reality. She showed us that there is still life and love later in life.
In our performance we had the understudy Fionan O’Carroll playing the part of Felicia / Adam. And OMG what a performance! He absolutely owned the stage and his presence and charisma was just radiating throughout the auditorium. You would never believe he doesn't do this night after night. Loved his energy.
If you’re a fan of dazzling costumes, this show is definitely for you. There are over 100 costume changes to feast your eyes on which is as incredible as it sounds.
Priscilla brought together the glamour of Vegas and the pop hits I grew up with alongside a heartwarming tale of 3 people just wanting to be themselves.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
About Newcastle Theatre Royal
📌 Newcastle Theatre Royal. 100 Grey Street. Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 6BR. Doors open 1 hour prior to each performance. You can visit the Green Room Bar or 100 Grey Street Bar before this time (check opening hours).
🚃 You can travel for free on Tyne & Wear Metro / Shields Ferry for up to 2 hours before your performance and 2 hours afterwards to/from Monument Metro Station. Simply show your theatre ticket to inspectors if asked (and if the gates are closed, show your ticket at a manned gate).
🚗 Paid parking is available nearby at Dean Street Car Park (NE1 1PG) or other City Centre Car Parks (check car park closing times).
🍷 Dine at Cote and show your ticket to receive a complimentary glass of wine. I also recommend The Green Room, Gaucho, PTMY, Dabbawal, Lola Jeans, Cafe Andaluz, Hen & Hops, Mowgli & Fat Hippo for pre-theatre dining. I have dined at all of these restaurants and can personally recommend as providing good value pre-theatre dining within easy walking distance.
🧥 There is no cloakroom and luggage, large backpacks, laptops and holdalls are not permitted. Booster cushions are available (please ask a member of staff), bag checks are in place. Please see here for a list of items which are not permitted.
♿ Wheelchair spaces, free companion tickets, accessible toilets & lifts are available. You can find out more about access here: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/plan-your-visit/access-information_access-facilities/
🍧 A range of food & drinks are available to purchase inside the theatre and their sale provide much-needed income to the theatre. Bag searches are in operation and banned items include alcohol which has been purchased outside of the venue (including wrapped gifts), cans, glass, metal, ceramic containers and stong smelling or noisy food. You cannot take hot food into the theatre. Selected performances do not allow any external food or drinks to be brought into the theatre (medical exemptions aside). The theatre is cashless.
💰Several discounts are available including £10 tickets for those aged 18-30 for selected performances, theatre membership and group bookings. 
What's Next at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Find out more & book here: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/
- 21-25 April 2026 - To Kill a Mockingbird
- 28 April - 9 May 2026 - The Red Shoes
- 12 - 17 May 2026 - Legally Blonde The Musical
- 21 - 24 May 2026 - The Enormous Crocodile The Musical
- 26 & 27 May 2026 - Les Ballets Trockadero
- 30 & 31 May 2026 - My First Ballet : Cinderella
- 2 - 6 June 2026 - The Ballad of Johnny & June
- 9 - 13 June 2026 - Gerry & Sewell
- 16 & 17 June 2026 - This Is Rambert
- 19 & 20 June 2026 - Peppa Pig's Big Family Show
- 22 - 27 June 2026 - Operation Mincemeat
- 28 June 2026 - Something In The Water
- 30 June - 4 July 2026 - Fawlty Towers
- 7 - 11 July 2026 - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
- 12 July 2026 - The Cramlington Train Wreckers
- 21 - 25 July 2026 - Guys & Dolls by Newcastle Musical Theatre Company
- 27 July - 1 August 2026 - The Bodyguard
- 4 - 8 August 2026 - Annie
- 11 - 15 August 2026 - Barnum
- 18 - 22 August 2026 - The Silence of the Lambs
- 8 - 12 September 2026 - The Car Man
- 23 September - 11 October 2026 - Mrs. Doubtfire
- 15 - 24 October 2026 - Our Friends in the North 1979-84
- 28 - 31 October 2026 - Cinderella by Northern Ballet
- 24 November 2026 - 17 January 2027 - Jack & the Beanstalk
- 18 - 30 January 2027 - Mean Girls
- 9 - 13 February 2027 - Dirty Dancing
- 13 - 17 April 2027 - Paranormal Activity
- 8 - 19 June 2027 - Cats
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