IF YOU’RE wondering why there is probably a town-wide shortage of sequins and glitter at the moment, look no further than the fabulous silver bus that has just pulled in to the Arts Centre, in Devizes Road.

From there, Chocolate Theatre are belting out the hits of one of Broadway’s most extravagant shows– and if ticket sales are anything to go by, the company is on to a winner with their staging of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.

To a near sold-out audience on Wednesday, the company hit a high note with their opening night with Andrew Johnson in the spotlight as the musical’s central lead Tick.

Teetering in his high-heels on stage, the actor has been through quite a journey himself embracing a dress and stilettos, as he embarks on an uplifting, life-affirming adventure across the Australian outback with transgender woman Bernadette and transvestite Felicia.

First-time Chocolate performer Steve Huggins pulls a tender portrayal of Bernadette out of his silk stockings, while holder of the Queen Bee UK crown, Ryan Nash, is incredible as the fabulous Felicia.

His operatic interlude had the audience in stitches. With such stage presence it’s hard to believe he is just 20.

The prime trio are well-supported with incredible vocals (and hair!) from divas Louise Van Der Watt, Rhiannon Eve Lewis, Lisa Aust and Marie-Claire Connor Gornall, while Adz Luke Holman, Claire Ryan, Paul Aust and Nat Armour are well on the way to stealing the limelight with their own supporting roles. Commonweal’s Kody Bowler plays a remarkable Benji, and brings real warmth to the final act of the show.

This is a musical all about casting stereotypes aside, and rather than just being a performance with a strong LGBTQ message, it is the story of a man struggling to find his place in the world - admittedly with the assistance of some floor-filling tunes, and a dark, filthy string of one-line put-downs.