Priscilla’s team is full of top names in Finnish musical theatre
The team behind the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which will premiere in Finland at the Helsinki City Theatre in August 2022 , 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 music consisting of disco hits and spectacular costumes, stars Lauri Mikkola, Clarissa Jäärni and Niklas Rautén.
Priscilla’s thirty-member ensemble of actors is directed by Samuel Harjanne, the number one creator of major Finnish musicals, the conductor is Eeva Kontu and the choreographer is Gunilla Olsson-Karlsson. The set design is by Peter Ahlqvist, the costumes by Tinja Salmi and the camouflage by Aino Hyttinen. William Iles and Toni Haaranen are responsible for the lighting, video design and projection, and Kai Poutanen is responsible for the sound design. The musical has been translated into Finnish by Kari Arffman and Sanna Niemeläinen.
“Kinky Boots exceeded all expectations and sparked a new era in Finnish musical culture. Now we continue in the sparkling footsteps of Kinky Boots and hop on the Priscilla party bus. I’m really excited and happy about our diverse casting. With this group, the performance will be a cleansing and explosively cheerful experience,” promises director Samuel Harjanne.
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 Spring. Adam (Niklas 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 role of the mechanic Bob is played by Risto Kaskilahti, Tiina Peltonen as Tick’s wife Marion, and Jennie Storbacka, Johanna Försti and Maria Lund as the three divas. The other roles are played by Suvi Aalto, Daniela Fogelholm, Helena Haaranen, Jack Johansson, Roderick Kabanga, Jisook Kim, Heidi Kiviharju, Paavo Kääriäinen, Matti Leino, Lasse Lipponen, Kai Lähdesmäki, Martti Manninen, Eveliina Määttä, Alen Nsambu, Mikko Nuopponen, Raili Raitala, Kauri Sorvari, Teemu Sytelä, Christa Talikka, Antti Timonen, Leenamari Unho and Mikko Vihma.
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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