The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, © Matt Crockett
Exclusive: Priscilla Queen of the Desert has completed its casting.
The much-loved show will embark on a UK, Ireland, and international tour from February 2026, opening at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
Based on the 1994 Oscar-winning film, the musical follows three friends as they travel across Australia in a bus named Priscilla, putting on a show while confronting personal challenges and societal prejudice. The production will feature a soundtrack of well-known disco anthems, including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
As already revealed, it is directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot, choreographed by WhatsOnStage Award-winner Matt Cole, with set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter.
Costume design will be by Strictly Come Dancing’s BAFTA award-winning costume designer Vicky Gill. She and her team have designed and created over 100 costumes for the production.
The rest of the creative team includes Sam Holmes (associate director), Ben Harrison (sound designer), Leo Flint (video designer), Craig Forrest-Thomas (hair and make up designer,) and David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting (casting).
The production is led by producers Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale, whose previous credits include Hairspray The Musical, The Full Monty, and Shrek the Musical, and Gavin Kalin, in association with Nullarbor Productions and MGM on Stage.
As already revealed, Adèle Anderson will play the role of Bernadette, while joining her are Kevin Clifton as Tick/Mitzi, Nick Hayes as Felicia/Adam, and Peter Duncan as Bob/Preacher.
Clifton said that he has always “loved” the show, adding “it’s bold, joyful, and unapologetically full of heart.” Taking on the role of Tick/Mitzi “feels like the perfect challenge because it’s not just about the glitz and glamour, it’s about identity, family, and love in all its forms,” he explains: “What drew me in was the chance to tell a story that celebrates being true to yourself, no matter what the world thinks. And let’s be honest — who wouldn’t want to perform in those incredible costumes with that soundtrack? It’s pure joy from start to finish.”
Gill commented: “It is an absolute pleasure to be the costume designer for this vibrant and iconic show. I was completing a course in fashion when the film came out and I remember how much it filled us all with such a sense of freedom and joy.” He added: “In live theatre, every sequin, feather, stitch, and silhouette helps tell the story in real time, right before the audience’s eyes. Bringing this glamorous and fabulous world to life through costume is a dream come true and an incredibly rewarding challenge.”
Also in the company are Dakota Starr (Priscilla The Party, Fisherman’s Friends The Musical) as alternate Bernadette, Leah Vassell (Oliver!, Kinky Boots) as Diva 1, Bernadette Bangura (Moulin Rouge!) as Diva 2, Jessie May (Beetlejuice) as Diva 3 and Shirley, Gary Lee (Ghost) as Miss Understanding, Billie Hardy (Chicago) as Marion, Isabella Glanzing Santos (Frozen) as Cynthia, Sario Solomon (If/Then) as Jimmy, Jak Allen-Anderson (Addams Family) as Farrah/Young Bernadette, and Alexander Emery (Come Fall in Love) as Frank.
The ensemble cast is completed by Michael Afemaré, Tia Antoine-Charles, Olivia Bella, Alexander Gage, Fionan O’Carroll, Nathan Ryles, Samuel Stokes and Mary Suarez.
The tour will visit the Palace Theatre in Manchester from 19 to 28 February, King’s Theatre in Glasgow from 2 to 7 March, Liverpool Empire from 9 to 14 March, Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from 16 to 21 March, Birmingham Hippodrome from 23 to 28 March, Norwich Theatre Royal from 30 March to 4 April, Theatre Royal in Newcastle from 6 to 11 April, Edinburgh Playhouse from 14 to 18 April, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 20 to 25 April, Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham from 28 April to 2 May, Aylesbury Theatre from 4 to 9 May, New Victoria in Woking from 11 to 16 May, The Marlowe in Canterbury from 25 to 30 May, Grand Opera House in Belfast from 1 to 6 June, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin from 8 to 13 June, Theatre Royal in Brighton from 16 to 20 June, Curve Theatre in Leicester from 22 to 27 June, Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 6 to 11 July, and Hall for Cornwall in Truro from 14 to 18 July.
