Priscilla The Party - HERE at Outernet

Anyone ?

Show is closing. Someone lost a lot of money.

www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/apr/30/priscilla-the-party-to-close-in-the-west-end-more-than-four-months-early

A shame, I guess, but not a surprise. I did enjoy the original London production but sat in the stalls one day and they audience participation terrified me.

So onto my review. It's not often I give the venue it's own section but it gets one.

Like a previous show at the Eventim Apollo this is a musical in a gig venue. The main issues earlier were that they weren't theatre people I think. I understand theatres, I can tell where to go etc... in addition to my last post I bought a coke in the second interval and it was just a mini can smashed into a glass. It fizzed right up so was flat but I couldn't be bothered to argue. As has been mentioned sightlines aren't great from the seats, a lot is played to the back of the house, which is the bar and dining area above. I hope they got a good view!
Mixed toilets which ruffled a few, 2 blocks so I assume traditionally gender segregated. I luckily found the masculine one!

Onto the show. I loved it. Not many props due to the nature but the costumes didn't disappoint. I have seen this show at The Palace and in Paris and enjoyed it every time. The updates worked well apart from one. Forgive me if I never noticed before but the butch woman who causes trouble in the pub was played in drag by our narrator. That didn't work for me. Felt a bit like Sheridan playing Jacob in Joseph.

The cast gave their all and I couldn't pick a weak link if I tried. The cast seemed age appropriate too which doesn't always happen and was a big enough cast. All the leads were great, I wouldn't want to pick any out for specific praise. The audience participation worked REALLY well this afternoon, don't panic if you don't like that kind of thing though, it is very optional.

Overall I think the economics of this bring it down, not the art. The venue is a bit out of the way, not sure what buzz there has been beyond papering sites but even at capacity the numbers must have been tough with that size cast and additional staff to usher. They too had a tricky job as it isn't as seamless as guys and Dolls.
Show 4 stars
Cast 5 stars
Venue 2 stars

Sorted thanks to this board 😀

The mind boggles ! Is that a euphemism ?

Ah there are two seated options - with and without the dining option. I went for without.

www.priscillatheparty.com/about-the-experience

I've never seen this on stage before but I'm guessing it's a mash up of the script with the leftover costumes from various tours and west end?

Two intervals. Eugh. Some terrible audience behaviour. Eugh. It was a fun experience though.

Cool but not cold