10:50am Saturday 4th July 2009
By Stephanie Tye
FOR most men, the idea of waxing their legs would make them run a mile.
But it’s all in a day’s work for Steven Cleverley – and it isn’t just his legs that need to be hair-free. He also needs to have his chest and armpits done.
That’s because the 23-year-old, who attended Judith Hockaday School of Dance and Drama, is starring as a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, at the Palace Theatre in London.
“It’s been amazing so far,” said Steven, who was a Churchfields pupil.
“I’ve never experienced a British audience getting to its feet like they do for Priscilla.
“I was in The Producers and we had standing ovations then but nothing like this – people get to their feet and start dancing around as soon as we begin the finale number.”
The show, which stars Jason Donovan, is the story of three Australian drag queens from Sydney who hop aboard a battered old bus, called Priscilla, and head off into the outback.
Along the way they wow the audience with colourful costumes, terrific tunes and dazzling dancing.
Steven plays Young Bernadette and Farrah, and is in a dress and heels for most of the two-hour show.
“I’d just finished doing La Cage aux Folles and had to wear heels there so that wasn’t a problem, I took to it like a duck to water,” he said.
“We have had some issues with some of the higher heels, I’m in six inchers at one point.
“But they are all especially made for our feet so once we broke them in after six hours in rehearsals every day, they were really comfortable.”
Steven isn’t the only Swindonian working on the Australian show. Company manager Roger Penhale hails from the town, as does sound technician Paul Allen.
Audiences watching the show seem to love it – none more so than Steven’s friends and family.
“They absolutely love it,” he said.“My mum thinks it’s fantastic, she comes back with a different bit of merchandise every time.
“They helped get me through all my training and college so seeing how proud they are of me makes the journey worth it.
“I love the show, I’m so happy to be part of it and I love it dearly.”
Steven is convinced that anyone who watches the show will go away with a smile on their face.
“It’s a real feel-good show,” he said.
“It lifts everyone’s spirits. It’s fun for us to do as well, we enjoy the audience’s reaction.”
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is currently booking up until February. Tickets cost from £20.25.
For more information, or to book, call 0871 297 0740 or log on to www.priscillathemusical.com.
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