Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - BOMB THREAT!
Fri, 28 Sept 2007, 09:18 pmBishop5 posts in thread
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - BOMB THREAT!
Fri, 28 Sept 2007, 09:18 pmI was given a complimentary ticket to a preview performance of Priscilla for tonight and it turned out to be very "special". After waiting for a long time to even get into the theatre we waited a little longer for the show to start. Simon Phillips (Director) then got up and gave a funny introduction, explaining that they hadn't yet had an uninterrupted run, describing the task of getting the Priscilla set into the Regent as similar to that of squeezing an elephant into a Volkswagen.
The show then started and seemed to be going really well until at the end of the second number, stage managers appeared from P & OP and motioned for the actors to get offstage. Jeremy Stanford (Tick), having just completed "I've never been to me" and still in character, then told us that something had blown up back stage and also turned and walked off. I thought it was part of the act until the house lights came up and the curtain came down. The voice over then instructed us to make our way to the nearest exit and another curtain descended with the words "Safety curtain" (I think) on it.
At this point I assumed some sort of fire was needing to be extinguished. We were outside the theatre much faster than we got in and were directed to walk down to Centennial Square. At that point Simon Phillips was on his feet again, this time on a café table, where he announced that the cause of the evacuation was that the theatre had received a "bomb threat" (religious fundamentalists, no doubt). He told us that the theatre would be checked and we would be able to return to and see the rest of the show in 20 mins.
Alas, some 30 mins later, we're told that the show wouldn't be going ahead tonight but that we could get tickets to any of the upcoming previews (Hmmm, which one of my free nights between now and October 5 will I choose?). To top that off, when I got back to my car I had $55 parking ticket because I misread the sign. Oh well, every bus has a silver lining; the cast and production team hadn't seen the program before and while we were all killing time at Centennial Square I managed to get most of them to sign my copy which I had picked up earlier for a mere $20.
BishopFri, 28 Sept 2007, 09:18 pm
I was given a complimentary ticket to a preview performance of Priscilla for tonight and it turned out to be very "special". After waiting for a long time to even get into the theatre we waited a little longer for the show to start. Simon Phillips (Director) then got up and gave a funny introduction, explaining that they hadn't yet had an uninterrupted run, describing the task of getting the Priscilla set into the Regent as similar to that of squeezing an elephant into a Volkswagen.
The show then started and seemed to be going really well until at the end of the second number, stage managers appeared from P & OP and motioned for the actors to get offstage. Jeremy Stanford (Tick), having just completed "I've never been to me" and still in character, then told us that something had blown up back stage and also turned and walked off. I thought it was part of the act until the house lights came up and the curtain came down. The voice over then instructed us to make our way to the nearest exit and another curtain descended with the words "Safety curtain" (I think) on it.
At this point I assumed some sort of fire was needing to be extinguished. We were outside the theatre much faster than we got in and were directed to walk down to Centennial Square. At that point Simon Phillips was on his feet again, this time on a café table, where he announced that the cause of the evacuation was that the theatre had received a "bomb threat" (religious fundamentalists, no doubt). He told us that the theatre would be checked and we would be able to return to and see the rest of the show in 20 mins.
Alas, some 30 mins later, we're told that the show wouldn't be going ahead tonight but that we could get tickets to any of the upcoming previews (Hmmm, which one of my free nights between now and October 5 will I choose?). To top that off, when I got back to my car I had $55 parking ticket because I misread the sign. Oh well, every bus has a silver lining; the cast and production team hadn't seen the program before and while we were all killing time at Centennial Square I managed to get most of them to sign my copy which I had picked up earlier for a mere $20.
NaFri, 28 Sept 2007, 09:33 pm
Wow
Now there's a night to remember. I hope this doesn't happen again; my family are going to see the show!
Can't wait to read the actual review now :)
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Walter PlingeTue, 2 Oct 2007, 08:38 pm
I saw Priscilla last Saturday
Hey there
I first saw Priscilla in Sydney in April this year. I was on holiday in Melbourne last week and decided I had to see it again. I enjoyed it even more than the first time! It is visually spectacular! The leads singing is not great but it is apprpopriate for the characters. I thing that the strongest aspect of the show is the fabulous full bodied ensemble singing!!
Go Priscilla!
Walter PlingeSat, 13 Oct 2007, 12:31 pm
Priscilla
Full marks to the Priscilla Producers for the best show in town Magnificent Costumes,fabulous characters and strong vocals to some of the best songs of the last 20 years,continuity was electrifying with up beat lighting and sound Nice to see an Australian Production with Australian cast and an Australian theme, that last scene with the Australian Animal costumes was the highlight of the show..
A must see 5 star show..
Also a future talent to watch is the singing diva Josie Lane ..
BishopSun, 14 Oct 2007, 12:16 pm
A second attempt!
Well I was able to trade my tickets in and get some Matinee seats (8 rows from the front). Don't look to Priscilla for dazzling choreography, water tight script or beautifully crafted plot-line but for a good night out, it as a real winner. Laughs, nostalgia, colour, vibrance, some clever staging and costuming: It's all there. Well worth the $140 I didn't pay for my ticket.