Mark Goucher and Jason Donovan present
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
Monday 24 February 2020 - Saturday 29 February 2020
PLUS INTERVIEW WITH EMMA CROSSLEY
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
Monday 24 February 2020 - Saturday 29 February 2020
PLUS INTERVIEW WITH EMMA CROSSLEY
Mark Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan have announced that their brand-new production of the much-loved glittering hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical will extend its UK tour dates through to 2020. The show, which was announced last year, and will star Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden, will tour the UK and Ireland from September 2019. It marks Donovan’s first time as a producer, having performed in the cast of the original West End production and two subsequent UK tours.
Full casting for the production has also been announced today. Previously announced Joe McFadden will play Tick/Mitzi, Laurence Olivier Award Winner Miles Western will take on the role as Bernadette and Nick Hayes will play Adam/Felicia. They are joined by Daniel Fletcher (Bob), Miranda Wilford (Marion), Kevin Yates (Miss Understanding), Jacqui Sanchez (Cynthia). The Divas will be played by Nikki Bentley, Claudia Kariuki, Rosie Glossop and the cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson, Natalie Chua, Emma Crossley, Jordan Cunningham, Martin Harding, Justin-Lee Jones, Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.
Full casting for the production has also been announced today. Previously announced Joe McFadden will play Tick/Mitzi, Laurence Olivier Award Winner Miles Western will take on the role as Bernadette and Nick Hayes will play Adam/Felicia. They are joined by Daniel Fletcher (Bob), Miranda Wilford (Marion), Kevin Yates (Miss Understanding), Jacqui Sanchez (Cynthia). The Divas will be played by Nikki Bentley, Claudia Kariuki, Rosie Glossop and the cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson, Natalie Chua, Emma Crossley, Jordan Cunningham, Martin Harding, Justin-Lee Jones, Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.
The iconic hit musical has more glitter than ever before, featuring a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife, Finally and many more.
Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance.
This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith, musical supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, musical direction from Sean Green, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Ben Harrison. Casting by Will Burton for David Grindrod Associates.
Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance.
This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith, musical supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, musical direction from Sean Green, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Ben Harrison. Casting by Will Burton for David Grindrod Associates.
More info at PriscillaUKTour.com & PriscillaUKTour.co.uk
Twitter/ Facebook / Instagram / Website
Tickets at . SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION . Tel: 01702 351135
Please visit www.priscillauktour.com for details of 2019 touring dates
Twitter/ Facebook / Instagram / Website
Tickets at . SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION . Tel: 01702 351135
Please visit www.priscillauktour.com for details of 2019 touring dates
Southend Theatre Scene's Andrew Walters catches up with Emma Crossley who tells him what it's like being part of the ensemble of Priscilla, being a cover and the joys of touring!
You’re currently touring the country with Priscilla. Do you enjoy touring life?
Yes I do! You get to visit cities around the country and see lots of great places, especially cities like Edinburgh, Dublin, Liverpool, which was a particularly good one, and which you wouldn’t ordinarily get to go to. I have friends and family around the country too, so it’s a great way to catch up with them.
Do you find the response to the show varies from place to place, or does it hit the same spot every time?
It seems to hit the same spot with this particular show. They literally go wild! It’s great! Except for one moment when an “offensive” term gets spread down the bus, which DOES get a different reaction every night, from gasps to nervous laughter.
There has been so much social change in the last ten years or so since the musical, let alone the film, originally appeared. Do you think this has affected the way the audiences respond to the show?
I think we all like to think things have changed for the better, but there is still a very real problem, although shows like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and Kinky Boots all carry a similar message, which is one of acceptance, and the message still hits home hard.
Did you all have to watch the original film as part of the preparation for being in the musical?
We actually didn’t have to, but I have seen it, some years ago. I had friends who went to the original casting for the musical too, which was back in 2009, i think, so it’s been around for a while now.
Let’s talk about you and your own career a little. You trained at Performers College in Corringham but you don’t originate from Essex?
I’m from West Yorkshire, a small town called Brighouse. One of the older girls at my dance school went to Performers, and I went to a summer school there when I was maybe, 14, and loved it, so I decided I would like to go there to train. I loved my time there. It was one of the best times.
Do you feel that your training stood you in good stead for a life in showbusiness?
Oh absolutely, yes. I mean, it was hard! I went when I was only 16, just a baby really, but we had amazing training, and great teachers, including the marvellous Brian Rodgers. He was just incredible. He was so hands on at college, and we got to spend a lot of time with him. We were so lucky. Sadly he’s no longer with us now.
Well, you now have a number of musicals on your CV including Kinky Boots in London, and in particular, you’ve done a lot of “covering”. Can you tell us a little about what that involves?
Well, it would mean to understudy a lead role, so as well as your own “ensemble track”, you would also learn a lead role, and be prepared to go on when someone is either off sicker injured, or on holiday, and a “swing” would go on in my place when that happens.
Does ‘Covering” involve a lot of extra rehearsal?
Initially yes, so once the original show is up and running, you will be in every day, then, when it’s been learned, you will do a cover run to make sure you know what you are doing, which is essential to help you find out where you do quick changes, and all the different areas back-stage somewhere. That can be really tricky. When we did Mama Mia, we did everything all at once, and were in, rehearsing every day for 3 months! But then once we learned it, our rehearsing was done.
Are you covering any roles in Priscilla?
Yes I cover one of the “Divas” and Marion, who is the mum of Angie.
What do you do on the day you arrive at a new theatre?
Well, on the get in day, we always have a sound and mic check. then we run a few numbers on stage. Sometimes, if we’re going to a theatre with a much smaller stage, like Cambridge which we’ve got coming up, we have rehearsals to re-block the show to change things around for that too.
So when you were at college, what were your dreams, and how have they panned out up to now?
Well, I always wanted to do West End, and when I got there I thought, “Oh my god!! I’ve done it!!” But, when I was very little, I wanted to be a ballerina, but I was told by Royal Ballet that my legs were too short! But then, if i’d gone down that route I wouldn’t have realised that I could sing, and used my singing voice, and gone into musicals, so it’s all worked out for the best. I’m massively glad that things have worked out the way they have.
So you are what they call an “all-rounder” then?
Yes, exactly, although, having left college when I was 18, I’m 33 now, and sometimes I think, “Ooooh, your body’s getting a bit old for all this dancing!!” But I’m still doing it!
In that case, how do you see your career going in the future?
Well, more singing, acting, and cutting down the dancing a little. I’ve been doing a lot of dancing since I left college in 2003! I’ve done a lot of BIG shows now, including the original cast of Kinky Boots in London, so it would be interesting to try some smaller shows, and generally new things in time.
I’ve just realised, you’ve now done 2 shows that originated as films!
Yes, and when we did Kinky Boots I didn’t even realise there was a film of it too. I’ve seen it since, but not at the time. Likewise Once, the musical too.
How long are you continuing with the Priscilla tour?
We’ve been on tour since September, and finish at the end of May. It’s a very busy show. We have many costume changes and even have a wardrobe area in the wings, so once the show starts, we don’t get back to the dressing room until the interval! It literally flies by.
What is your favourite song in the show?
Obviously I Will Survive is a favourite, and I also love the Kylie medley.
Are you looking forward to your week in Southend at the Cliffs Pavilion?
Oh yes! I was there 2 years ago in Fat Friends, and it was great! But that’s the only time I’ve ever been there, which is weird considering I trained in Essex.
Well thank you very much Emma for giving us such a splendid insight into being part of Priscilla, and also your life as a performer. See you soon in Southend at the Cliffs.
Interview with Emma Crossley by Andrew Walters
Yes I do! You get to visit cities around the country and see lots of great places, especially cities like Edinburgh, Dublin, Liverpool, which was a particularly good one, and which you wouldn’t ordinarily get to go to. I have friends and family around the country too, so it’s a great way to catch up with them.
Do you find the response to the show varies from place to place, or does it hit the same spot every time?
It seems to hit the same spot with this particular show. They literally go wild! It’s great! Except for one moment when an “offensive” term gets spread down the bus, which DOES get a different reaction every night, from gasps to nervous laughter.
There has been so much social change in the last ten years or so since the musical, let alone the film, originally appeared. Do you think this has affected the way the audiences respond to the show?
I think we all like to think things have changed for the better, but there is still a very real problem, although shows like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and Kinky Boots all carry a similar message, which is one of acceptance, and the message still hits home hard.
Did you all have to watch the original film as part of the preparation for being in the musical?
We actually didn’t have to, but I have seen it, some years ago. I had friends who went to the original casting for the musical too, which was back in 2009, i think, so it’s been around for a while now.
Let’s talk about you and your own career a little. You trained at Performers College in Corringham but you don’t originate from Essex?
I’m from West Yorkshire, a small town called Brighouse. One of the older girls at my dance school went to Performers, and I went to a summer school there when I was maybe, 14, and loved it, so I decided I would like to go there to train. I loved my time there. It was one of the best times.
Do you feel that your training stood you in good stead for a life in showbusiness?
Oh absolutely, yes. I mean, it was hard! I went when I was only 16, just a baby really, but we had amazing training, and great teachers, including the marvellous Brian Rodgers. He was just incredible. He was so hands on at college, and we got to spend a lot of time with him. We were so lucky. Sadly he’s no longer with us now.
Well, you now have a number of musicals on your CV including Kinky Boots in London, and in particular, you’ve done a lot of “covering”. Can you tell us a little about what that involves?
Well, it would mean to understudy a lead role, so as well as your own “ensemble track”, you would also learn a lead role, and be prepared to go on when someone is either off sicker injured, or on holiday, and a “swing” would go on in my place when that happens.
Does ‘Covering” involve a lot of extra rehearsal?
Initially yes, so once the original show is up and running, you will be in every day, then, when it’s been learned, you will do a cover run to make sure you know what you are doing, which is essential to help you find out where you do quick changes, and all the different areas back-stage somewhere. That can be really tricky. When we did Mama Mia, we did everything all at once, and were in, rehearsing every day for 3 months! But then once we learned it, our rehearsing was done.
Are you covering any roles in Priscilla?
Yes I cover one of the “Divas” and Marion, who is the mum of Angie.
What do you do on the day you arrive at a new theatre?
Well, on the get in day, we always have a sound and mic check. then we run a few numbers on stage. Sometimes, if we’re going to a theatre with a much smaller stage, like Cambridge which we’ve got coming up, we have rehearsals to re-block the show to change things around for that too.
So when you were at college, what were your dreams, and how have they panned out up to now?
Well, I always wanted to do West End, and when I got there I thought, “Oh my god!! I’ve done it!!” But, when I was very little, I wanted to be a ballerina, but I was told by Royal Ballet that my legs were too short! But then, if i’d gone down that route I wouldn’t have realised that I could sing, and used my singing voice, and gone into musicals, so it’s all worked out for the best. I’m massively glad that things have worked out the way they have.
So you are what they call an “all-rounder” then?
Yes, exactly, although, having left college when I was 18, I’m 33 now, and sometimes I think, “Ooooh, your body’s getting a bit old for all this dancing!!” But I’m still doing it!
In that case, how do you see your career going in the future?
Well, more singing, acting, and cutting down the dancing a little. I’ve been doing a lot of dancing since I left college in 2003! I’ve done a lot of BIG shows now, including the original cast of Kinky Boots in London, so it would be interesting to try some smaller shows, and generally new things in time.
I’ve just realised, you’ve now done 2 shows that originated as films!
Yes, and when we did Kinky Boots I didn’t even realise there was a film of it too. I’ve seen it since, but not at the time. Likewise Once, the musical too.
How long are you continuing with the Priscilla tour?
We’ve been on tour since September, and finish at the end of May. It’s a very busy show. We have many costume changes and even have a wardrobe area in the wings, so once the show starts, we don’t get back to the dressing room until the interval! It literally flies by.
What is your favourite song in the show?
Obviously I Will Survive is a favourite, and I also love the Kylie medley.
Are you looking forward to your week in Southend at the Cliffs Pavilion?
Oh yes! I was there 2 years ago in Fat Friends, and it was great! But that’s the only time I’ve ever been there, which is weird considering I trained in Essex.
Well thank you very much Emma for giving us such a splendid insight into being part of Priscilla, and also your life as a performer. See you soon in Southend at the Cliffs.
Interview with Emma Crossley by Andrew Walters