Full cast announced for PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT UK and Ireland tour

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

Full casting has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which opens at Palace Theatre, Manchester on 19 February.

Joining the previously announced Adèle Anderson as Bernadette will be Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, BBC; Chicago, UK tour) as Tick/Mitzi, Nick Hayes (Groundhog Day, Old Vic) as Felicia/Adam, Peter Duncan (The Dame, Edinburgh Festival/Park Theatre) as Bob/Preacher, Dakota Starr (Priscilla The Party, Here at Outernet) as alternate Bernadette, Leah Vassell (Oliver!, West End) as Diva 1, Bernadette Bangura (Moulin Rouge!, West End) as Diva 2, Jessie May (Beetlejuice) as Diva 3 and Shirley, Gary Lee (Ghost, UK tour) as Miss Understanding, Billie Hardy (The Time Traveler’s Wife, West End) as Marion, Isabella Glanzing Santos (Frozen, West End) as Cynthia, Sario Solomon (Grease, UK tour) as Jimmy, Jak Allen-Anderson (The Addams Family, UK tour) as Farrah/Young Bernadette, and Alexander Emery (Come Fall in Love, Manchester Opera House) as Frank, with Michael Afemaré, Tia Antoine-Charles, Olivia Bella, Alexander Gage, Fionan O’Carroll, Nathan Ryles, Samuel Stokes ,and Mary Suarez.

Strictly Come Dancing’s BAFTA award-winning costume designer Vicky Gill and her team have designed and created over 100 iconic costumes for the production. Best known for creating show-stopping looks on Strictly Come Dancing since 2012 and Dancing On Ice, Vicky is renowned for her ability to blend glamour with functionality, creating dazzling costumes that celebrate both movement and performance.

Kevin Clifton said: “I’ve always loved Priscilla Queen of the Desert — it’s bold, joyful, and unapologetically full of heart. Taking on the role of Tick/Mitzi feels like the perfect challenge because it’s not just about the glitz and glamour, it’s about identity, family, and love in all its forms. What drew me in was the chance to tell a story that celebrates being true to yourself, no matter what the world thinks. And let’s be honest — who wouldn’t want to perform in those incredible costumes with that soundtrack? It’s pure joy from start to finish.”

Vicky Gill said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be the costume designer for this vibrant and iconic show. I was completing a course in fashion when the film came out and I remember how much it filled us all with such a sense of freedom and joy. In live theatre, every sequin, feather, stitch, and silhouette helps tell the story in real time, right before the audience’s eyes. Bringing this glamorous and fabulous world to life through costume is a dream come true and an incredibly rewarding challenge.”

Following Manchester, Priscilla Queen of the Desert will visit Glasgow, Liverpool, Southampton, Birmingham, Norwich, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Nottingham, Aylesbury, Woking, Canterbury, Belfast, Dublin, Brighton, Leicester, Sheffield, Bradford, and Truro.

Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot OBE with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole and set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, the sassy and joyous Broadway and West End hit musical follows the hilarious and heart-warming journey as three friends travel across Australia in a dilapidated bus nicknamed Priscilla to put on the show of a lifetime.

Completing the creative team are sound designer Ben Harrison, video designer Leo Flint, hair and make up designer Craig Forrest-Thomas, and casting by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.

To book tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert at select touring venues, please click here.

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