by Priscilla

Apr.08, 2009, under Producer's Blog

We have now reached the end of our preview period and, judging by the reaction of the audiences to date, it has been a great success. We’ve had a standing ovation at every performance. This is obviously pleasing, but it also gives the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show a huge boost and it shows that all the hard work they’ve put in has been worthwhile.

The previews allow us to test the show with the audiences. It allows us to tweak the script, so we get the best possible show. Priscilla has been hugely successful in Australia and New Zealand, having already been seen by over a million people, but now it’s playing to a British audience. Priscilla is a very Australian show and it’s important that we don’t change that, but also slight cultural alterations may need to be made for a British audience. The previews allow us to make sure that the audience understands the jokes, or even see if we can find something that would be funnier. We can also see how the audience reacts to the show. In rehearsals we don’t have people clapping and cheering, so it takes a few performances for the cast to work out how to pace the show, when there is going to be a break for laughter or clapping.

As with any show, there have been the only to be expected teething issues. One night, we had a problem with the bus. One night, one of the cast fell coming offstage and injured his leg which has resulted in one of the swings taking his place for a week or so.

Priscilla is a very high-octane, dance-orientated extravaganza with fabulous costumes with very high heels, so there is always that potential for injury. However, these are all things that we’re taking in our stride and we are making the show more polished as we’ve now learnt from all our mistakes.

The cast take their curtain call. Photograph by Dan Wooller

Now the show is officially open after successful Press and Gala nights. Everyone gets nervous around these two nights. It’s a time when everyone involved with Priscilla crosses their fingers and hope that the members of the press enjoy the show as much as the audiences that have seen it so far and to a large extent they have. You can read some of the press feedback on our reviews page. It’s a big relief when your hard work is validated not only by the public, but the critics as well.

Jason thanks the audience for the standing ovation. Photograph Dan Wooller

Everyone is now finding the rhythm with the show as we slip into more of a weekly routine. We hope there are plenty more standing ovations and singing and dancing in the aisles! So come and join the party at the Palace.