Priscilla The Party! opened last month in the heart of Soho and has brought a ‘guaranteed good time’ to central London. Owain Williams plays Tick/Mitzi and told he is ‘so proud to be trusted to tell this story’.
The immersive experience comes 18 years after the London premiere of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical and tells the heart-warming, uplifting story of three friends who travelled on an old bus to find love and friendship in a brand new way. Owain said: “I identify as a gay man and I am so proud to be trusted to tell this story.
“Some people might question whether a story that’s 30 years old still has relevance today but I think when you hear about the attack on LGBTQ+ rights, even in the United Kingdom, this story is so important, because we’ve come such a long way yet there’s still a long way to go. Some people want us to go backwards so it is so vital that these stories continue to be told, in a loud and proud way.”
The spectacular production features a soundtrack of dance classics and unlike traditional theatre encourages audience members to get on their feet and dance. The stage has moving parts and breaks off with most people standing on the dance floor, Owain added: “There’s not a bad seat in the house.”
Although the production is a party, there is still a strong message conveyed through the uplifting songs and scenes. “The most surprising thing for people is that you’re also going to be moved by the story.
“It’s a story that has themes of love, self acceptance and belonging,” Owain said. “One minute you’ll be dancing to a Kylie Minogue song and then the next minute, you’ll be watching a really intimate scene.”
The standing arrangement of the audience positions them as the audience in a drag club. There is also audience participation, as one theatregoer will take on the role of one of the characters and another will have a song directly addressed to them.
Owain said: “The audience really do affect the energy. It gives me such a buzz that I get to tell this story and to see the reaction in queer members of the audience’s faces, that just makes it all worthwhile.
“That’s why I do it. Sometimes we have audiences that are full of young, queer kids who might not have seen the film and might not have even heard of Priscilla.
“However, the story of inclusivity and self-celebration is a story that’s timeless and it’s a story we need now more than ever.” The show also features award-winning extravagant costumes.
It is non-stop with several costume changes for every actor. As Owain switches between the roles of Tick and Mitzi he has to change in a matter of seconds.
He told : “It’s like a Formula One process, I pull into the pitstop and you’ve got a wardrobe assistance ripping the dress off and you’ve got a wig assistant taking the wig off and you’ve got somebody else with sellotape taking all the glitter from my lips.”
You can get tickets to Priscilla The Party! at London Theatre Direct, Ticketmaster, and TodayTix.
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