Strictly’s Kevin Clifton talks being new Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: “I’ve always battled with my identity”

by

As a total movie buff, I have to say, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert really earns its cult classic status. It’s just a joy – the costumes are incredible, the story is genuinely heartwarming, and the soundtrack is packed with amazing pop songs. It’s a feel-good movie that just sticks with you.

The popular show, which first delighted audiences as an Academy Award-winning movie in 1994 and later as a successful West End musical, is marking its 30th anniversary with a large-scale tour across the UK. It will visit 20 different theaters from February to July.

This show has featured many famous faces over the years, including Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce, and Jason Donovan. Now, Adèle Anderson, Nick Hayes, and Kevin Clifton – known from Strictly Come Dancing – are joining the cast.

In a recent interview with TopMob, the professional dancer explained that audiences really need this positive story right now. They believe the show tackles important themes like finding yourself and being accepted, and while we’ve made progress on these issues, things are unfortunately becoming more divided again.

Now is a great moment for a show that truly promotes acceptance – not just from others, but also self-acceptance. It’s important to embrace who you are.

Clifton will star as Tick, a drag queen originally portrayed by Hugo Weaving (known for his role in Lord of the Rings). Tick is separated from his wife and son, and he convinces his fellow performers, Bernadette and Felicia, to join him on a journey to a remote location in the Australian outback for a performance.

Once he was cast in the role, Clifton felt a strong sense of responsibility to portray the character respectfully. He initially questioned whether he, as a straight man, was the right fit for the part, but conversations with the director and cast members reassured him. They were supportive, similar to the positive experience he had while working on ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’.

The Strictly champion also shared that he still connected with his character, Tick, and has often discussed themes of identity in his work.

I’m comfortable with who I am, but I do struggle with figuring out my true identity. As a ballroom dancer growing up, I felt pressured to fit a specific mold and present a certain image to the world – it felt like that identity was chosen for me, rather than something I discovered on my own.

Growing up, I competed as a ballroom dancer in Grimsby. My parents gave me a perm and I used fake tan to appear taller, which made me feel different from my friends back home. Later, when I was rehearsing and on ‘Strictly,’ I found myself surrounded by very outgoing, flamboyant personalities. As an introvert, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in with them either.

Even at 43, I often feel like I’m still figuring out who I am. It’s like I’m constantly playing different parts. The character I play, Tick, is similar – he always feels like an outsider, searching for a place where he truly belongs and feels comfortable.

I really connect with my character, Tick, especially now that I’m a dad. My partner, Stacey Dooley, and I welcomed our daughter, Minnie, last year, and it’s brought a whole new layer to the role. Tick has a son he hasn’t seen in ages, and it’s funny because while we’re on tour, Stacey and Minnie are actually going to be in Australia! Being separated from them will be tough, and I think that feeling will really help me understand and portray Tick’s emotions on stage. It’s a bit weird and wonderful how life mirrors art sometimes.

Okay, so heading into the 30th anniversary run, this show is promising to really pull out all the stops. Creator Michael Clifton is talking a much larger cast, completely new sets, and fresh choreography. Now, it’s easy to think of this production as just pure spectacle – big, fun, and over-the-top – and it is that, but I always appreciate that there’s a genuinely compelling story beating at its heart. It’s not just flash; there’s substance here, and I think that’s what’s kept audiences coming back for three decades.

Clifton hopes the show will leave audiences feeling good. He wants the story’s genuine emotion to come through, offering a fun night with fantastic music and dancing, but also a touching story about three characters searching for belonging and acceptance.

Want to see this content?

We can’t display this content because of a security measure called reCAPTCHA. To see it, please log out of Contentpass.

When and where can I see Priscilla Queen of the Desert?

Here are the dates and venues for the Priscilla UK tour:

  • 19 Feb – 28 Feb 2026 – Manchester, Palace Theatre
  • 2 Mar – 7 Mar 2026 – Glasgow, King’s Theatre
  • 9 Mar – 14 Mar 2026 – Liverpool, Empire Theatre
  • 16 Mar – 21 Mar 2026 – Southampton, Mayflower Theatre
  • 23 Mar – 28 Mar 2026 – Birmingham, Hippodrome
  • 30 Mar – 4 Apr 2026 – Norwich, Theatre Royal
  • 6 Apr – 11 Apr 2026 – Newcastle, Theatre Royal
  • 14 Apr – 18 Apr 2026 – Edinburgh, Playhouse
  • 20 Apr – 25 Apr 2026 – Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre
  • 28 Apr – 2 May 2026 – Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
  • 4 May – 9 May 2026 – Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre
  • 11 May – 16 May 2026 – Woking, New Victoria Theatre
  • 25 May – 30 May 2026 – Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre
  • 1 Jun – 6 Jun 2026 – Belfast, Grand Opera House
  • 8 Jun – 13 Jun 2026 – Dublin, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
  • 16 Jun – 20 Jun 2026 – Brighton, Theatre Royal
  • 22 Jun – 27 Jun 2026 – Leicester, Curve Theatre
  • 29 Jun – 4 Jul 2026 – Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre
  • 6 Jul – 11 Jul 2026 – Bradford, Alhambra Theatre
  • 13 Jul – 18 Jul 2026 – Truro, Hall for Cornwall

How to get Priscilla Queen of the Desert tickets

You can find tickets either at ATG Tickets or via the respective venue’s website.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

Read More

2026-02-13 13:05