Star no longer Blue as Priscilla hits stage
It was Duncan James as you've never seen him before when the former boy band star took to the stage for Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.
The hit show started its six-day run at the Lichfield Street theatre last night. And the former Blue star was barely recognisable as Tick and drag queen Mitzi.
Based on the 1994 Australian film, Priscilla is the heart-warming adventure of three friends who hop on board a battered bus searching for love and friendship.
Read the review of the show here
Last night's audience was the first to catch the show in the city and theatre-goers enjoyed outrageous costumes and hits including, Say a Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Colour My World. James, who as one quarter of boy band Blue, sold more than 16 million records, has spoken of his love for the show, telling the Express & Star: "We all love it because it's such a beautiful heart-warming story.
"The audience always come out after a show with big beaming smiles; it's just a great value production."
James follows the likes of Jason Donovan and Darren Day in the role. It is the latest in a line of stage performance for the star who has previously appeared in Legally Blonde and Chicago.
The musical originally opened in Australia and after a sell-out two-year run showcased in London's West End followed then by a stint on Broadway.
It has won numerous accolades all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.
Joining James in the lead roles are Simon Green as Bernadette and Adam Bailey as Felicia.
The show, which runs at the Grand until Saturday, helped kick off Artsfest – a festival of arts and culture within Wolverhampton and surrounding areas – which started yesterday and runs until June 24.
The Grand has teamed up with the University of Wolverhampton, the Arena Theatre and other arts organisations across the city to celebrate the festival.
