Ian Moseley chats about preparing to play a transgender role in Priscilla

Bryn Hughes

October 21, 2018

Interview

“She’s a wonderful character to play. She’s been through a lot and her hardness on the outside masks her real vulnerability. She’s also got some brilliantly bitchy lines!”

Ian Moseley

Ian Moseley is rehearsing in heels and a skirt for his role as Bernadette in the production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Bernadette is one of the first transgender characters to appear in a musical and Ian is determined to get his portrayal right.

“Priscilla is one of my favourite shows with its themes of tolerance and acceptance, along with all the fantastic disco songs and spectacular costumes.”

Ian Moseley as Bernadette

In the show, Bernadette joins fellow performers Tick and Adam on a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) across the Australian outback to perform a show in Alice Springs. Ian says the dynamic between the three is crucial.

“You’ve got the young guy, Adam, whose cockiness and ease with himself hangs off the coattails of the fight for acceptance Bernadette has gone through. It annoys her and their sparring is very funny. She’s much closer to Tick, who’s struggling with telling his son he’s gay.”

Ian and fellow actors Bryn Hughes (Tick) and Doug Cairns (Adam) recently appeared in Festival Place and the Malls in full drag make-up and fabulously over-the-top outfits to promote the show.

“We certainly turned heads! Lots of people wanted a photo with us.”

Ian hopes everyone will open their mind to enjoy this hilarious, heartwarming show when it comes to the Haymarket from Wed 14 – Sat 17 and Wed 21 – Sat 24 November. Performances at 7.30pm with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm on 17 and 24 Nov.

All tickets for the opening night are £18.50. For the other performances: £23.50 (adults) £15 (16s and under) - with concessions for students, over-65s and groups. All prices include a booking fee. Buy tickets online.

Bryn Hughes

October 11, 2018

Interview

Dance captain James Young puts the Priscilla cast through their paces

Bryn Hughes

October 11, 2018

Interview

I Will Survive, Don’t Leave Me This Way, It’s Raining Men...all classic disco songs that feature in the hilarious, heartwarming musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Making sure every dance step, arm flick and hip thrust is right on the button is the responsibility of James Young, who is dance captain for the production.

“The cast are doing a great job,” says James. “They’ve picked up the routines really well. Now I’m being extra picky to make sure they look amazing!”

Headshot of James Young

James is very passionate about Priscilla, Queen of Desert, the story of a Sydney-based performing trio who drive a ramshackle bus across the Australian outback to Alice Springs, finding love, hostility and a few surprises along the way.

“Yes, the show is fun, colourful and a great night out, but it’s also a story of friendship, acceptance and getting through tough times.”

James has been dancing since he was seven, starting with tap and moving onto modern, jazz and ballet. He got his BTEC National Diploma in Performing Acts at Queen Mary’s College and now works with young children as a room leader in a preschool.

As well as dance captain, James is also dancing in the show. He says Priscilla is a great release from a stressful job. “Yes - and what I’m most looking forward is the band call, when all the musicians come together for the first time. You’ve been working in rehearsal for so long with just a keyboard, you can forget just how amazing these songs are! It takes the show to another level, then once you add the amazing costumes, this show is just going to be spectacular!”

Priscilla runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from Wed 14 – Sat 17 and Wed 21 – Sat 24 November. Performances at 7.30pm with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm on 17 and 24 Nov.

All tickets for the opening night are £18.50. For the other performances: £23.50 (adults) £15 (16s and under) - with concessions for students, over-65s and groups. All prices include a booking fee. Buy tickets online.

Bryn Hughes

October 4, 2018

Interview

Doug Cairns chats about his Priscilla role

Bryn Hughes

October 4, 2018

Interview

By day he wields a welding torch, creating sets for theatrical productions and corporate events. By night, Doug Cairns is currently immersed in the role of outrageous Sydney-based drag performer Adam, aka Felicia, as he prepares to star in the musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

“I work by myself a lot, so going to rehearsals is a great way to socialise and actually meet people!” he laughs.

“I think I’m perceived as quite a quiet, thoughtful person so I’m loving bringing out the over-the-top side of my personality!”

Doug Cairns

As Adam, Doug gets to wear some astonishingly creative and colourful costumes, alongside fellow performers Bryn Hughes who plays Tick and Ian Moseley as Bernadette.

“I’ve always loved dressing up,” says Doug. “I spent weeks preparing my Queen Victoria costume for my Halloween party at university!”

Doug graduated from Warwick last year with a degree in Theatre and Performance Studies. While there he designed the sets for musicals including Cabaret, Anything Goes and Little Shop Of Horrors, as well as playing lead roles. He also got his first taste of Priscilla.

Doug as Felicia

“I was in the play Trainspotting, which is pretty dark and intense, while Priscilla was being staged in the theatre next door. When we came offstage we could hear the Priscilla band playing upbeat songs like I Will Survive and Colour My World.”

“I then watched the film, loved it, and when BATS announced they were doing the show I was encouraged to audition. I’m so glad I did!”

You can see Doug strutting his stuff in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from Wed 14 – Sat 17 and Wed 21 – Sat 24 November. Performances at 7.30pm with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm on 17 and 24 Nov.

All tickets for the opening night are £18.50. For the other performances: £23.50 (adults) £15 (16s and under) - with concessions for students, over-65s and groups. All prices include a booking fee. Buy tickets online.