Boo Gatti, winner of Queen Bee 2016, alias Ryan Nash, is heading the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in Swindon.

Ryan, 20, from Bristol, is a professional Drag Queen, fully trained dancer, MUA model and performer, who began creative dance when he was just four-years-old.

The flamboyant dancer auditioned for the part alongside an army of potential stars for the Chocolate Theatre production, under the direction of Michaela Kearns.

Michaela said: "We have an incredibly strong cast, who each bring so much to their characters and work harmoniously together, bouncing the great comedic timing and intonation off each other.''

The performing rights have only recently been released for amateur productions of Priscilla so this will be the first time the colourful musical will be presented in Swindon.

There are 30 cast members including actors from Swindon, Bath, Bristol Reading and Stroud, who have been shimmying in the desert sands of rehearsals since January.

Michaela said: "I chose Priscilla because after seeing it performed professionally in Oxford I realised what a fantastic production it was! It features strong and interesting characters, flamboyant costumes, hilarious scenes and a touch of sensitivity thrown in for good measure.''

Songs in the show include Hot Stuff, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Go West and True Colours and the costumes, including cupcake dresses, animal masks and ball gowns were all made by Vicky Dudman, an ensemble member of Chocolate Theatre.

Michaela said: "She tirelessly made the entire range of crazy costumes. She must be sick of pink and sequins.''

The 1994 Australian comedy-drama film was written and directed by Stephan Elliott. The plot follows two drag queens which in the film were played by Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce and a transgender woman, who was played by Terence Stamp, as they journey across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus that they have named Priscilla.

The biggest challenge for the Swindon production was tackling Priscilla - the bus - in the confines of the intimate theatre of the Swindon Arts Centre!

"With help from several members of the cast, we now have her all ready for the stage!'' said Michaela "With a steel structure, she is sturdy enough to hold four cast members and she will be rotated 360 degrees on the tiny stage. She even changes colour to fit in with one of the songs.''

Michaela is joined in her producer/director role by James Stevens and she warns there is some strong language in the show, so the recommended age is 14 plus.

Priscilla runs from Wednesday, June 28 to Saturday, July 1 at the Devizes Road Theatre in Swindon's Old Town and tickets are available from 01793 524481 or www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison