© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
Priscilla – Queen of the Desert
Stephan Elliott / Allan Scott
In German with English lyrics
Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott | Based on the Latent Image / Specific Films Motion Picture | Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. | Produced by NULLARBOR PRODUCTIONS | In association with MGM ON STAGE Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations by Stephen 'Spud' Murphy Developed for the Stage and Originally Directed by Simon Phillip
Synopsis
Dancefloor songs, a touching story and a road trip from the city to the open country: These are the basic ingredients of this musical. Based on the eponymous movie released in 1994, the uplifting play seamlessly continued the surprising success of the Australian film, which filled cinemas around the world, just as the musical version would later take international stages by storm.
The jukebox musical tells the story of the two drag queens Mitzi (Tick) and Felicia (Adam) as well as the transgender woman Bernadette, who are travelling through the Australian Outback in their camper “Priscilla” in order to stage a show in Alice Springs. The trip was Tick’s idea. He wants to meet his son from a previous heterosexual relationship. For all three protagonists, the trip develops into a confrontation with their own selves and a battle for social and personal acceptance.
With much humour and empathy, the play discusses themes of identity, tolerance and self-confidence, and its catchy, well-known pop songs (e.g. “I Will Survive”, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” and “It’s Raining Men”) create a gripping atmosphere. A colourful musical that makes a plea for respecting each and every human being’s individuality.
Written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, the musical “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” saw its world premiere in Sydney in 2006. The selection of music was essential for the stage adaptation: Most of the play’s 25 songs are pop music hits from the 70s and 80s. Elliott had also directed the eponymous film in 1994. After its huge success in Australia, the musical was shown in London in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011.
“Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” marks Ramesh Nair’s directorial debut at the Salzburg State Theatre. Shortly after his starring role in “Singin’ in the Rain”, he is now staging the next iconic musical together with Michael Lindner (stage design) and Adam Nee (costume design). The band conducted by Wolfgang Götz and Manuel Lauerer contributes the familiar hit songs to accompany the colourful evening.
Duration: 2 h 45 min / one intermission
We offer introductory talks 45 and 30 minutes ahead of each performance.
Further event:
January 29, 2026: Stage for Diversity – panel discussion Drag, Queerness & Musical | 6:30 PM, Kammerspiele
Reviews
„Das Konzept geht von Anfang an auf. Die Queeren sind mitten unter uns und wir sind mitten unter ihnen. Was folgt, sind zweieinhalb kurzweilige und hochkarätig unterhaltsame Musiktheaterstunden. [...] Tick, Felicia und Bernadette gehören zu uns. Das macht das Stück klar. Hut ab vor dem Ensemble. Hut ab vor dem Regisseur und Choreographen Ramesh Nair. Das Publikum tobte. Nach fast jeder Nummer, aber vor allem nach dem Schluss. Zurecht.“
„Doch obwohl die Inszenierung auf Opulenz, grelle Farben und temporeiche Balletteinsätze setzt, gehen auf der Drehbühne (Michael Lindner) nicht allzu viele Zwischentöne verloren. Eine Show für sich sind die Kostüme (Adam Nee) und die Rasanz, mit der die Protagonistinnen zwischen Haifischdress, Leopardenlook und Krokodilkostüm wechseln. Die Premiere, bei der auch im Publikum Dragqueens mit flamboyanten Outfits zu bewundern waren und der Saaldienst zur Uniform Glitzer-Haarreifen trug, endete mit Standing Ovations.“
Selected performance
We 12/31/2025 03.00 pm
Salzburger Landestheater
Performances
Audio introduction
von Anna N. M. Lea
Cast (on 12/31/2025)
Director & Choreography
Ramesh Nair
Musical Director
Wolfgang Götz
Manuel Lauerer
Set Design
Michael Lindner
Video
Michael Lindner
Roman Hagenbrock
Surjo Naskar
Costume Design
Adam Nee
Dramaturgy
Anna N. M. Lea
Tick (Mitzi)
Oliver Arno
Adam (Felicia)
Leon de Graaf
Bernadette
Marco Dott
Cynthia / Ensemble
Aloysia Astari
Benji
Emil Knam
Jonathan Mayer
Matthias Schorn-Roubin
Miss Understanding / Tina Turner / Frank / Country Boy / Ensemble
Magnus Jahr
Young Bernadette / Ensemble
Achim Himmelbauer
Diva 1
Monika Ballwein
Diva 2
Alea Hagedorn
Diva 3
Larissa Enzi
Marion / Shirley / Ensemble
Caroline Hat
Bob
Axel Meinhardt
Chorus
Chor des Salzburger Landestheaters
Ballet
Ballettensemble des Salzburger Landestheaters
Priscilla-Band