Priscilla the musical is of interest to the audience – almost half of the tickets are booked
Helsinki City Theatre’s autumn musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert has aroused the interest of theatre audiences. Almost half of the musical’s tickets, more than 23,000 tickets, have been booked with three weeks left until the Finnish premiere of the party musical.
“The interest in the musical speaks of people’s need for a positive and joyful communal event. After the gloom of the last few years, it’s high time to blow up party hits and tie them into a story that discusses prejudice, parenthood, and how we all belong on this planet. Priscilla surprises with her topicality, and is guaranteed to get every dancer’s foot, if not to pedal, then at least to flick," promises director Samuel Harjanne.
The team behind the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert consists of top names in Finnish musical theatre, many of whom, like director Samuel Harjanne, are familiar from the hit musical Kinky Boots.
The musical, known for its disco costumes and spectacular costumes, stars Lauri Mikkola, Clarissa Jäärni, Niki Rautén, Risto Kaskilahti, Tiina Peltonen, Jennie Storbacka, Johanna Försti and Maria Lund, among others.
The conductor of the eight-piece orchestra is Eeva Kontu and the choreographer of the 30-piece ensemble is Gunilla Olsson-Karlsson. The set design is by Peter Ahlqvist, the costumes by Tinja Salmi and the camouflage by Aino Hyttinen. The lighting and video design is by William Iles and Toni Haaranen , and the sound design is by Kai Poutanen. The musical has been translated into Finnish by Kari Arffman and Sanna Niemeläinen.
Tick persuades his friends Adam and Bernadette to join him on a performance trip to the Australian outback. Tick (Lauri Mikkola) is a warm-hearted Sydney drag queen who has a secret: he has a wife in Alice Springs. Adam (Niki Rautén) is a young, articulate and skilled drag queen who doesn’t shy away from fun, speed and dangerous situations. Bernadette (Clarissa Jäärni) is a stylish former drag queen with a brilliant career, who has left the stages behind and focused on living with her husband. A glitter-filled bus ride through the Australian desert begins with disco hits like It’s Raining Men, Go West, I Love the Nightlife, True Colors, I Will Survive, Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Hot Stuff.
The musical Kinky Boots , directed by Samuel Harjanne, became a phenomenon, attracted more than 100,000 spectators at the Helsinki City Theatre in the 2018–2019 season and has since continued its success at the Tampere Workers’ Theatre since autumn 2020.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2006), written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, is based on Stephan Elliot’s Oscar-winning and cult film of the same name (1994). The musical, which has received numerous awards and award nominations, premiered in Australia at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney in October 2006. It aired in the West End from 2009 to 2011 and on Broadway from 2011 to 2012.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert premiere 25.8.2022 on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Tickets: student ticket €44.50 (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket €86 (Mon-Thu), basic ticket €89
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Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service and ticket sales by phone at 09 394022 Mon-Fri from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9 am – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge), www.hkt.fi
Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager , kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki