Three of the Coast’s premier songstresses will help bring 90 per cent of the show’s music to life when Priscilla, Queen of the Desert opens at the Laycock St Community Theatre on Friday, October 21.
Providing the vocal sound track live for lip-syncing scenes in Gosford Musical Society’s latest offering, the three Divas play a huge role in the show.
Director Daryl Kirkness said drag performances took two forms – the old school method of lip-syncing to recorded tracks and the newer style, full of glitz and glamour, with artists often performing live rather than lip-syncing.
Priscilla highlights both.
“Using the Divas to address the lip-syncing component of the show is an interesting theatrical move,” Kirkness said.
“In this production, we have used the Divas even more than they have been used traditionally.
“I have them on stage a lot, not only to sing but to pass comment on what is happening as well.
“They are actually observing the action as well as providing a voice for it – they are almost muses in that sense.”
director, daryl kirkness
To fill these important roles, Kirkness has cast three of the Coast’s most experienced singers.
A long-time favourite of Gosford Musial Society audiences, Toni Williams will be remembered for such performances as Rizzo in Grease (1994), Velma in Chicago (2001), Nancy in Oliver! (2009) and Judy Garland in Boy From Oz (2010).
Having operated her own singing studio for 27 years, Williams has performed all over the Central Coast as well as in Newcastle and Sydney in duos, cabaret shows and rock bands.
She has always loved the Priscilla movie and was thrilled to be cast in the stage show.
“I’ve loved the movie mainly for the songs – these are songs I have sung my entire life,” she said.
“The Divas weren’t in the movie, but I was delighted to find that they get to sing 90 per cent of the songs in the show.
“I am loving being a major feature in the musical and excited to be back on stage after the couple of years we have had.
“Working with the other two Divas and the entire cast and team has been a joy in my life.”
Khiara Paris was a featured artist in Starstruck in 2016 and 2017 and took part in blind auditions for The Voice in 2021.
Playing regular gigs in the Newcastle/Hunter region, she has previously appeared for GMS as Glinda in The Wiz.
Paris said the show had pushed her out of her comfort zone and forced her to grow as a performer.
“I have really enjoyed embracing this character and the culture of the show,” she said.
“I love how accepting everyone is and the message of the show.
“And of course I love the music.
“I usually sing rhythm and blues and soul, so to perform these songs has been amazing.”
Jacqui Grunden has performed for Palm Studios in Little Shop of Horrors as Crystal, for which she won a Sing Your Way to Broadway award (2017), Jesus Christ Superstar as Jesus (2017), Carrie the Musical as Carrie (2018) and Grease as Marty (2019).
Grunden has really enjoyed the variety of drag elements in Priscilla and the fact that the cast includes many members of the LGBTQI community.
“Having Nat, who is a drag performer, play the role of Tick has been a real bonus,” she said.
“There are some heavy scenes in the show but everyone has been very respectful.
“And of course it is amazing belting out those massive Diva numbers.
“Working with Toni and Khiara has been a great experience.”
The show, featuring Nat Barry Midas Backhouse, Marc Calwell and Callum Hobson in the leads and with stunning set, costumes and explosive production numbers, plays a four-week season from October 21-November 12.
Tickets are available on the Gosford Musical Society website.
Terry Collins