This week Croft House Theatre Company returned to Sheffield Lyceum with a production of the smash hit musical ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’! The show tells the story of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, and their journey across the desert of Australia. This production was of an extremely professional quality by way of costumes, set and performances. I just wished they turned the sound levels up a bit.
The show’s leading ladies, the three Divas, were very strong vocally and had a wonderful stage (or box) presence! They were played by Jill Beckett (Made in Dagenham, Rent, Our House), Nicola Cutts and Jess Widdowson (Into the Woods). All three held the stage as their own. It was a shame Jill didn’t get a song to herself like Nicola and Jess did.
The show had a very strong supporting cast including Jane Hallsworth (Gypsy) as Marion, the wife of Tick, whom she had a wonderful chemistry with, and Steve Pashley (Into The Woods) as Bob who shared beautiful moments with Bernadette They all had their chances to shine and did so brilliantly. I must also mention James Bell (The Producers) who owned the stage as Young Bernadette and Maria Simms (Camelot: The Shining City) who made a wonderful impression as Cynthia. Sam Widdowson (Oliver, Jesus Christ Superstar) had a great voice opening Act Two as Band Boy.
Now the leading trio. Not one stood out more than the others. Mark Harris (La Cage Aux Folles) played Bernadette and he made a wonderful woman who you wouldn’t want to mess with and he had a gorgeous voice (much better than the professional one I saw). Damien Ross (9 to 5, The Producers) made a wonderful Tick and had some really lovely moments with Dylan Ross as Benji, his son. His voice was also wonderful. Ben Loy nailed the part of Adam. He was wonderfully camp and over the top yet wonderfully realistic at the same time. His voice was gorgeous.
I could mention every single person of this cast – everyone was very very talented and added to the production. There was phenomenal choreography from Claire Harriott who also directed. A huge congratulations to everyone involved in front of and behind the stage! A show that Croft will be remember for for a long time!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert plays at Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 18th March 2017. Croft House Theatre Company return to the Lyceum in March 2018 with ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’.
Jacob Reviews Shows 