This page preserves Clarissa’s Corner’s record of the 2026 UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Archive Note
The production opened at the Palace Theatre Manchester in February 2026 and continued on tour through the summer. Because this tour has now finished, this page is kept as a historical production record rather than a current ticket guide.
Overview
Based on Stephan Elliott’s 1994 film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert follows three friends — two drag performers and a transgender woman — as they cross the Australian Outback aboard a bus named Priscilla. The musical combines a story about identity, friendship and chosen family with a catalogue of disco and pop favourites.
Cast
Adèle Anderson, best known as part of Fascinating Aïda, played Bernadette in the 2026 tour. The original draft highlighted her long stage career and her description of Bernadette as warm, witty, caring and compassionate.
Creative Team
- Director: Ian Talbot
- Choreographer: Matt Cole
- Set and Lighting Design: Andrew Exeter
- Book: Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
- Producers: Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Gavin Kalin, in association with Nullarbor Productions and MGM on Stage
What to Expect
The production combined the familiar road-trip story with large-scale musical numbers and songs including It’s Raining Men, Hot Stuff, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Finally and I Will Survive.
Dates, Tour & Venue
The tour opened at Palace Theatre Manchester from 19–28 February 2026 before travelling to venues including Glasgow, Liverpool, Southampton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Brighton.
The original 2026 tour website was priscillauktour.com.
Clarissa’s Review
No standalone Clarissa’s Corner review has been linked to this archive record yet. If one is located in the archive, it should remain as a separate review and be linked both ways.
Practical Information
Because this tour has now finished, historical ticket prices and availability should be treated as archive information only. Future revivals or new tours should receive a new current guide rather than overwriting this 2026 record.
FAQ
Who played Bernadette on the 2026 tour?
Adèle Anderson played Bernadette in the production documented here.
What is Priscilla Queen of the Desert about?
It follows three friends travelling across the Australian Outback in a bus named Priscilla, combining comedy, music and themes of identity, prejudice, friendship and chosen family.
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