Three young stars join Emily-Jade O’Keeffe in Priscilla musical adventure

GOLD Coast, meet your Benjis. A trio of talented young actors have been cast in the crucial role of the the young boy in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - joining a city radio star.

GOLD Coast, meet your Benjis. A trio of talented young actors have been cast in the crucial role of the the young boy in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

It is on at The Star Gold Coast next month.

The youthful stage stars will show the city their chops as they roll into the Glitter Strip on a battered bus from Alice Springs with a gaggle of dolled-up drag queens.

Trailing in tow of the pink feather boas and exotic headdresses are John Scanlan, 9, and Diesel Batson and Ethan Dahl, both 11.

The three young male stars of the upcoming Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical at The Star Gold Coast, (from left) Ethan Dahl 11, John Scanlan, 9, and Diesel Bateson 11, pictured at Southport with co-star Emily Jade O'Keeffe, who plays Benji's mother. Picture Glenn Hampson

The three youngsters will all take turns playing the character of Benji (Benjamin in the film) – who is arguably the emotional centrepiece of the script.

Diesel says he is “super excited” to perform at The Star Gold Coast for the first time.

“I’ve played the character of Benji before in a different production of Priscilla but can’t wait for the opportunity to perform with this incredible cast on the Gold Coast,” he said.

He said the show’s rigorous preparation didn’t give him “much downtime”, but practising “in the shower” or getting help from Mum and Dad on the technical details was “a team effort”.

He says stage industry stalwarts Michael Dameski, Steven McRae and Hugh Jackman are his idols.

Diesel says of the Benji role in the show: “I love being able to ­explore this character who hasn’t grown up with his dad, but accepts him for who he is.”

Ethan Dahl 11, one of the young male stars of the upcoming Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical at The Star Gold Coast, Picture Glenn Hampson

The show marks the professional stage debut for Ethan, who says he is excited to be involved “in such a well-known production with a great cast and fantastic songs”.

He says striking success in the entertainment industry is all about “not giving up and not taking offence from people who try to put you down”.

“It’s also wise to have a good agent,” he laughs.

John Scanlan, 9, one of the young male stars of the upcoming Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical at The Star Gold Coast, Picture Glenn Hampson

Ethan says he was cast in the show by the skin of his teeth, after coming home from a school camp and recording his audition for a deadline that night.

“I’m very lucky because there was a setback earlier this year when I was cast as one of the Von Trapp kids in The Sound of Music – which was unfortunately cancelled due to the floods,” he said.

John, who has been singing and performing since he was six-years-old, says the role should be a breeze, given he had performed in a Priscilla production in Townsville in 2021.

“I have singing lessons twice a week and then at home I practise. I also go over the lines I need to learn with my mum or dad,” he said.

Diesel Bateson 11, one of the young male stars of the upcoming Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical at The Star Gold Coast, Picture Glenn Hampson

“It’s really fun as we all get into character.”

He said he loves to see the look on audience’s faces when he “belts out the high notes”.

John said the role of Benji was appealing after having fun playing him last year.

“I wanted to do it again and I can’t wait to perform on the Gold Coast,” he said.

Priscilla: Queen of the Desert premieres at The Star Gold Coast on July 16 and runs until August 7. Opening night tickets start from $75 via Ticketek.