Prada Clutch brings her tribute to Les Girls to Bega. Photo: Supplied
Coming to Bega for the first time, the fabulously flamboyant Prada’s Priscillas revue pays a spectacular tribute to Carlotta, the legendary ‘Les Girls’ revue, and the outback tour that became “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”.
Get ready and get your tickets for an evening of sequins, eyelashes, legs and outrageousness, as Prada and Co sashay the Bega Civic Centre stage for one night only.
Let’s hark back to Australia during the nineteenth century, when the wearing the clothes of the opposite sex could arouse extreme distaste and a lack of comprehension. It was also prohibited by the law. In 1835, a convict was caught by police in the countryside near Wollongong, ‘dressed in a woman’s gown and cape.’ He was found guilty of improper conduct, given 50 lashes, and sent back to Sydney.
However a few years later, when police arrested a woman for drunkenness in George Street and found that she was, in fact, a he, they simply sobered him up and sent him on his way.
Fast forward to the 1960s in Sydney’s Kings Cross, to the creation of ‘Les Girls’ the most famous of the many clubs popping up around Sydney in the post-war era.
The legendary Les Girls started out as entertainment for the gay world, but over time became a naughty night out for suburban hens’ parties, seeming to successfully attract the straight market, who were titillated by the naughtiness of Kings Cross. My how far we have come!
All praise the six-foot, singing diva Prada Clutch. Photo: Supplied
Many Australian TV viewers are familiar with tall blonde Carlotta.
Carlotta began her career as an original member of the long-running Les Girls show, which flourished through the 70s and 80s. Arguably Australia’s most famous drag-queen and transexual, upon the closure of the Les Girls venue in the 90s, Carlotta took her show on tour to the outback, thus creating the inspiration for the beloved film ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’.
Sequins, feathers and fabulous icons. Photo: Supplied
Prada’s Priscillas is headlined by Prada Clutch, one of Australia’s most in-demand live-singing drag queens. No miming here, Prada’s strong voice carries the show from one iconic character and over-the-top costume change to the next.
The stunning star of the show has featured in stage shows across Australia and New Zealand. She draws her inspiration from the likes of Dusty Springfield, Patti LaBelle, Bette Midler and Cher.
Flanked by gorgeous men, Australia’s stunning six-foot something songstress with her ‘girls’, takes us on a journey from Sydney in the 60’s, across the Aussie outback in the 90’s, to today.
Channeling Carlotta and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Photo: Supplied
The ninety-minute all-male revue features some of ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s’ greatest hit songs including I Love the Night Life, Go West, Shake Your Groove Thing, Finally and I Will Survive. There are also a few surprises from some of today’s music icons and divas who continue to inspire drag performances around the world.
The show is directed by one of Australia’s original Les Girls of Kings Cross, Monique Kelly. Monique was a member of the Les Girls Revue from 1973 to 1997.
The show features a cast of seven, choreographed by Stephen Clarke. Stephen has been dancing and choreographing professionally since 1985 and has worked with Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Cyndi Lauper and Diana Ross.
Aside from the talent, the show is jam-packed with dazzling costumes, feathers, wigs, head-pieces, and outrageous performances. Promoter Gavin Morris insists that “Bega will not forget this glittering drag spectacular!”
Gather the gang (discounts for groups of 10) and get along to enjoy a rare moment of feathered, sequinned, gaiety in the heart of cheese country!
Prada’s Priscillas, Saturday, December 7 at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.
Doors open 7:30 pm, showtime 8:00 pm, duration – 1 hour and 50 minutes (including interval).
Recommended for 15 years+ Contains smoke, haze and strobe lighting.
Get your tickets via Trybooking. Adults – $60.50, Concession – $56.00, Children/Student – $56.00, groups of 10 $54.00 per ticket.
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