Priscilla Heading South
Producer Garry McQuinn confirms to Diana Simmonds that the rumour is true: Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical will be heading to Melbourne.
It was never the plan and as recently as the middle of April it was not on the cards, but now it's confirmed: the old bus is leaving Sydney's Lyric Theatre on September 9 and her next stop is Melbourne.
"It's true, we didn't plan to go but the truth is, a couple of things have happened over the past few days and basically - yes, we're going," says producer Garry McQuinn.
The few things include the clash of venues between Priscilla and the incoming Miss Saigon. The Vietnam show had been booked into the Lyric before anyone realised how successful Priscilla was going to be and the solution - of putting Miss Saigon next door, into the Star City Showroom - was not one to be relished by the incumbent.
"We saw that as a risk," says McQuinn.
More risk is on the horizon says McQuinn, naming Billy Elliott, Phantom, Guys and Dolls (and - if a venue can be found - Rocky all due to open on the east coast before the end of the year.
"They're all going for much the same entertainment dollar," says McQuinn. "And we were conscious of the possible impact of these shows. They would be in the position of new kids on the block and, on top of that, winter sales tend to drop. We were estimating as much as 20% and that's the difference, with a show like Priscilla, of making money or not."
The clincher was an unexpected approach from Melbourne where a theatre management was unexpectedly looking at a gap in its availability calendar.
"I can't say which one but it'll be confirmed in the next few days," says McQuinn. Of course, Melbourne wants to have its own thunder moment.
Nevertheless, after announcing plans for the first anniversary in Sydney, leaving town a month or so short of that date is not what the producers had in mind.
"The reasons for staying were pride, mainly," McQuinn admits. "But we've had it to ourselves this long - and it was commercially more compelling to make the move to Melbourne."
Meanwhile, plans continue to raise the show in London.
"It will be a separate production, with a London cast," of course, says McQuinn. "We're looking at a first class West end theatre and a start date as soon as March 2008. There's a chance we will be able to take ... um ... key cast, but we don't know yet?"
Bernadette/Tony Sheldon, perhaps?
He laughs. "I'll leave that to your imagination."
Like the other rumours of guest casting: Alexander Downer begging to be allowed to stand in for Tony Sheldon and Amanda Vanstone declining the Rome embassy in favour of taking over from Genevieve Lemon. (We know these are real rumours, dear readers, because they were started by www.stagenoise.com.)
"I think I prefer those rumours to the one about Pauline Hanson," says McQuinn. "I think the cast would have something to say about that one."
Meanwhile, what isn't rumour is the international interest in Priscilla: from Japan and Scandinavia plus the possibility of at least three others, says McQuinn.
"They're really keen to get their own productions, there could be at least five running within the next year."
The industry here continues apace with show merchandise being rushed at interval ("the merchandisers are very happy, very happy," says McQuinn) and the long-awaited Sydney cast album soon to be recorded.
"I see the show two or three times a week," says McQuinn. "And I look around and they're not the usual theatre audience, they're out for an event. For a good time. That's what they get from Priscilla."
www.priscillathemusical.com for ticket information
