I've just got back from a preview showing of 'Priscilla' (14th March 2009) and I thought I'd jot down a few observation about the show and the seating prices.

The show itself was simply fantastic and so I don't want anyone to be disappointed with the view from their seats. Without giving anything away, there's a lot of action at the top of the stage so I would definitely think twice about paying top price for seats at the back with a restricted view.

We sat in the Dress Circle in row I, seats 5, 6 and 7. Legroom was acceptable but it's worth noting that seat 5 is more tucked in behind H6 than the seating plan suggests, so if you're choosing that one to stretch out in, it's really no better than any other end-of-row seat. With regards to this particular show, I think I would actually categorise these seats as having a restricted view, as the over-hang of Upper Circle really does obscure some fantastic bits of the performance. I think the view improves towards the middle of these rows as seats are definitely higher at the sides. Avoid row J at the back as these seats sit a lot higher than row I, so their view must have been very disappointing. Selling these seats at top price is pretty scandalous if I'm honest.

Please warn people that if they are paying this top price for the Dress Circle (and who on earth can afford those premium priced seats??!) that they should choose seats towards the middle of the rows and as far forward as they can find. 'Priscilla' is a gorgeously visual show and so it's worth picking your seat carefully so you don't miss an inch of the sparkle.

Vicki
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On Monday 16th March 2009 we sat in Stalls row R 8 and 9, which were top price seats, but much of the top of the stage was out of sight due to the circle overhang - and this show has quite a bit of the action at high level. There were several top price rows behind us and their view must have been even worse. Whilst we are on a negative note, we must mention the legroom or lack of it! It must be one of the worst we've encountered and several of our neighbours mentioned it too. And it was so hot!

As for the show...

The star must be the costumes closely followed by the bus, 'Priscilla'. All the cast performed very well although special mention must go to Tony Sheldon. Not only for his portrayal of Bernadette but also his acting skills and especially his comic delivery.

The story wasn't strong but really only used as a vehicle to allow the show to move from one outrageously costumed, beautifully choreographed scene to the next even more outrageous scene.

Overall it was a great show with a non stop flow of action from the moment the overture started. There appeared to be very little original music but over 20 really good familiar classics delivered (usually mimed) with great choreography and outstanding (surely award winning) costumes. In addition to the great music, stunning costumes, a clever set and imaginative lighting, extensive use was made of surprise effects including audience participation, aerial entrances by cast on several occasions and confetti showers, not to mention the ping pong balls!

On the night we attended the audience were very excited as soon as the lights went down and the enthusiasm continued throughout, overflowed at the appearance of some of the most exotic costumes and resulted in a standing ovation the minute the show ended and continued throughout the encore. The publicity has invited the audience to dress for the occasion. We didn't and didn't see anyone who had.

It looks like another success in the West End providing there are sufficient people out there who can appreciate superbly presented drag artistes. If there is, this show is done in the best possible, over the top, style with a great selection of dance music.

Lordship Theatregoers
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Myself and a friend were there on Tuesday 17th March 2009 evening performance. The show is fantastic with good book. Music even though it is not original serve the story very well.

We were on Grand Circle seat number G31-32. There was no restricted view and we could see everything up to the top of the stage very clearly apart from only the edge of stage right that was slightly obscured by the curve of the front of the Grand Circle itself.

Hope this information would be helpful for fellow theatregoers.
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I was hoping to report on ‘Priscilla’ (18th March 2009) but, alas, I can’t tell you about it apart from about half of the first act! You mention sight line problems, and indeed there were two large TV screens on either side of the stalls about a third of the way back, but I thought smugly that my seat in B row would be fine. WRONG! The stage is built up high to accommodate a revolve, with the result that people sitting at the front of the stalls have to strain to look upwards all night – and there were indeed a number of places where characters were flown in that also strained the necks of us poor souls at the front -- and we could not see the feet of the cast who were at stage level, especially when anybody went upstage. And the whole show is very ‘in-yer-face’, which again was a bit overpowering for the audience in the front rows. Another problem with the raised stage was that in the very funny scene when Priscilla kept running over wild animals, whose dead bodies came around on the revolve, we at the front could not really see the bodies at all!

But why did I leave? Technical problems with the car! After about 20 minutes the curtain came down and an announcement was made that there was a technical problem, but it was hoped that the show would resume soon, which indeed it did after a break of about five minutes. Then 20 minutes later, at about 8.20, the same thing happened. Another announcement that there was a problem. Then after another five minutes another announcement asking for our patience. Then after another five minutes the director came on stage and said that Priscilla was controlled by a huge computer which tonight was acting like HAL in 2001! I left.

Anyway, I very much enjoyed what I did see of ‘Priscilla’ and was surprised at how funny the dialogue was and how well the story was working. The audience was very much on board right from the beginning, and four elderly women next to me were falling out of their seats laughing at the dirtiest lines as well as clapping and shouting at the ends of the very energetic musical numbers. One of the biggest laughs came in the scene when the three characters are discussing Kylie Minogue in ‘Neighbours’ and Jason Donovan announced: ‘Well, it was Scott that I really fancied!’ (or something like that). I was sorry to have to abandon the show, but I was really not happy with the disadvantages of my seat at the front, and I was afraid that the technical problems would persist for the rest of the evening.
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I would just like to add to the review above of last night’s show (18th March 2009).

I too was enjoying the show but from a much better seat in row C19 in the Dress Circle where I had an excellent view of the stage.

The show was amazing colourful and very camp from the beginning and the story was really getting going when...

...The curtain dropped and we were told rather cheerfully that there were technical problems but to remain seated and after a short break Priscilla set off again and the jokes were coming thick and fast and all were very funny. I was also pleased to see the audience ranged from Children to the Elderly and all seemed to be enjoying it equally.

After a short spell the curtain dropped again and there were more technical problems. This was around 8.20pm and about 15 minutes later when my jolly mood was waning the director came on and explained how technical Priscilla the Bus really was and asked for out patience.

After about another 20 minutes we were told again by the Director that we should go on an interval and drink copiously at the bar, which of course he wouldn’t pay for, and that they hoped to resume the show and run it right to the end.

During the interval we were told that the show was being cancelled and that we were given a form to apply for a refund. I was sad to hear the news as I was really enjoying this show but also happy at the way the Theatre and the Director handled this unavoidable break down. I will book to see it again from the same seats.
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We were invited to a 'guest night' yesterday for Priscilla (19th March 2009). Initially we were given T28 and 29 which were almost at the back and right on the side. As there is as much action at mid height and at the top of the stage as there is at floor level those seats were awful, as we could only see the bottom of the stage as the Circle is very low and cuts out the view of most of the stage - and for this show it must apply to seats much further forward than we were. It would have been impossible to see the Divas singing who were high up and had great voices, and for me were the best part of the show. We only saw them because for some unaccountable reason after about five minutes we were asked to show our tickets and were told we were in the wrong seats and they moved us to row H or I which were much better, but still very tight on the knees.

Most people were whooping, cheering, and clapping at every gay sexual innuendo, but I felt there were many others who were very silent and not even clapping politely.

I had attended the launch last year and was really looking forward to what I thought was going to be a completely OTT but hilarious HOOT of a show. I was right about the OTT. Obviously many thoroughly enjoyed all the extreme pelvic thrusting and gay sexual references some of which I have to admit I did not understand and others I understood only too well.

I was thinking that perhaps I would enjoy the second half better but that was not going to be. I realised I had made a mistake in taking my wife with me, she was so offended by the whole show she refused to stay for the second half so we walked out and caught the 9pm train home instead of the 11pm.

I must have gone to about 100 London shows over the last 10 years and this is the first time I (we) have ever walked out after the interval.

Obviously it has a great appeal to many, especially the gay community but it should come with a strong warning on the lines that 'This show can offend and is not a family show' . This is really 'in your face' stuff that I know would offend most of my usual theatre going group and I will not be organizing a trip to see it. I do feel sorry for those who will pay £50+ for a seat and then find, like we did, that it is just too much and have to leave early.
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Since you asked about sight line issues at Priscilla I thought I would mention that most of the Dress Circle should be fine except for the back three rows. We sat in I29 and I30 almost at the back and to one side and could see most of the show although we did have to lean forward to see a few things like the faces of the performers when they are on top of Uluhru in the climax. A couple of rows in front no one was leaning forward so I believe they had no issues.

As for the show itself it is perhaps the campest thing I have ever seen, Sophisticated it ain't, but for what it is a fun night out with lots of glitz and over the top glamour it is great fun. It has the best costumes I have ever seen. They don't make any allowances for the easily offended which I personally find completely refreshing but they could perhaps do with strong warnings in the Box Office as the comments from the couple that left early on your site confirm.

I will definitely go again soon when I need to be cheered up some fun nonsense !!
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What can I say? I am a fan of the film, we booked the tickets last year (we were very keen) and the show did not disappoint. This is a show that does not require thinking, but may require throat lozenges for the constant whooping and cheering.

It was a laugh a minute riot of colour, crudeness and frivolity, set against stereotypical characters. Yes it was garish and brash, but oh what fun. You did care about the characters and the fun carried you along. The audience (and it was a packed house) became one big cheerleading company cheering on its team.

We went on Monday the 30th March 2009 to the evening performance and had seats in the Grand Circle front row, on the centre aisle (row A seats 23,24,25) - make a note because these are probably the best seats to get. Once we made the climb down stairs that rivalled the Himalayas (most people went sideways), we wedged ourselves into the seats (my friend is 5' 0" and she struggled to find legroom), petite comes to mind when describing the space around us, but the simply there wasn't any.

Despite descending mountains and being shoehorned into our allotted space, we had the perfect view. Sitting back I could still see the edge of the stage (I'm 5'3"), and were perfectly situated for the aerial views and the 'shoe' where, at 15 foot away from the performer, we had direct eye contact! Simply, we missed nothing.

However, I would advise caution in buying tickets as this performance involves a slightly higher stage apparently - and lots of aerial and performances on top of the bus. People lower down will miss the fantastically funny shoe by being underneath it, and have to crane their necks to see up. Those sitting too far back will be obscured by the overhangs from the balconies above.

There was one minor technical hitch after the first act, but it lasted less than 5 minutes and, apart from it being early days in the life of the show, and the set being very technical, I have to say everyone took it in good spirits.

However no one seemed to be complaining as the whole show was carried along on cheering, whooping and singing along. People refrained from standing until the encore (probably because they were stuck in their seats) and we all clapped and screamed for joy until the very end.

We all came out saying what a great night and hoping to go back, people simply didn't want the night to end.

Jos Hockley,
London
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I finally got to see 'Priscilla' (Monday 6 April 2009), from a seat in the centre of C row in the Upper Circle. Although I could see everything that was happening high up, I was not happy about what was going on near the front of the stage! These old theatres like the Palace were designed in the expectation that the front of the stage would end at the proscenium arch, but when the stage is extended out six feet or more beyond that into the auditorium and any action takes place right at the edge of the apron, then there are problems for people sitting in the higher levels, especially when the people in the front row lean forward and further obstruct the view of the people sitting behind them!

I still enjoyed a lot of the show, but that relentlessly loud pounding music is not really my taste. The cast was fine, although Jason Donovan could do with exhibiting a bigger personality in the non-musical scenes...he is after all a drag queen! By the latter part of the second half I had had enough music, and I definitely felt the number at Ayer’s Rock was more than superfluous to requirements. The amazing costumes for the finale were splendid, but I was not especially carried along by the music the way I was at the end of 'Hairspray,' for example, which also has relentlessly pounding loud music that seems to work as the culmination of the story, and I didn’t feel that the music brought it all together at the end tonight.

I don’t think I will need to go back and see it again, whereas when I left the theatre last week after my third look at 'Hairspray' I was seriously tempted to book another ticket immediately, or at least as soon as I could find a reduced price offer! I should say, however, that the 'Priscilla' audience in general seemed to be having a whale of a time – I guess a lot of those songs were more familiar to them that they were to me. But because I was finding the music just too loud and too unrelenting, I was struck by the fact that the glorious 'Spamalot' which last occupied the Palace, ran for just a little over two glorious hours including interval, whereas 'Priscilla' pounded on for three-quarters-of-an-hour more. I know which one gets my vote!
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This show is just as you imagine it to be - a great ball of fun doused in feathers and glitter. Its light, energetic and very entertaining with a strong cast. The staging and costumes are spectacular and you most certainly get value for money on that front. I did however feel it could have been cut by about 20 minutes. If you want a fun night out then this is the show for you.

We sat in the stalls, C17 and 18 and had to look up a great deal especially as the there were people suspended frequently. Also the opera number was very hard to see with Felicia on the top of the bus. I'd go for a few rows back if you can get it or maybe front circle.

HB
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We went to see "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" last week (9th May 2009). I have never seen the film.

We paid £62.50 to sit in Stalls row S. I am so glad it is marked "Red" on the Monkey's plan! The seats were cramped and I could not put my knees together and I am only 5'11" tall! I ended up with my leg jammed up against the lady sitting next to me. The overhang of the circle means you miss a lot of the action. The TV screens at the side at next to useless when you sit in the middle.

It was a birthday treat for a friend. Last year we went to "Gone with the Wind;" I better let him choose the show next year as for two years running we have been very disappointed. Otherwise it will end a beautiful friendship!

I totally missed the point of the show - sorry! The audience was on such a high it reminded me of being at a party where every one gets drunk while you remain sober. I put the show in the same bag as "Wicked". Totally amazing but not my type of show.

It didn't help we had seen the matinee performance of "Spring Awakening" on the same day. I wished we had stayed at the Novello and seen it again - great songs, great good value seats and an amazing story.
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"Went to see 'Priscilla: Queen of the Desert' on Thursday 28th May 2009. We were sat in Stalls row K, seats 16 to 20 and we couldn't really have asked for better seats - no restriction on the view at all, I'm 6ft and the legroom was OK, not great, but I didn't especially feel cramped in. This theatre is a lot smaller than you'd think and so it felt very intimate.

The show is fantastic from start to finish, tons of jokes and pathos, great music - the sets are very impressive and the bus itself is something else. The cast is exceptional and really put everything into it. I thoroughly recommend this and I might even try to get to see it again."

David Allen
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A friend and I went to see Priscilla on 26th May 2009 and we both had an absolute ball! We were in row D of the Dress Circle (brilliant seats) and we had a perfect view of what was going on.

Tons of jokes, funky music (if you think it's too loud then clearly your just too old!) and amazing costumes. We laughed the whole way through and came out singing. I'm taking my parents to see it next month and can't wait to see it again!

Jess B from Kent.
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