Brandon Dowery and James Shaw step into lead roles for Priscilla: Queen of the Desert as Covid-19 hits the cast and crew

The successful Gold Coast season of stage show Priscilla: Queen of the Desert had behind-the-scenes hitches - two of the lead parts went down with Covid.

The successful Gold Coast season of stage show Priscilla: Queen of the Desert had behind-the-scenes hitches: two of the lead parts went down with Covid.

Whilst the audience would not have noticed, assistant director James Shaw had to step into the key role of ‘Bob’ the mechanic with an hour’s notice.

Similarly, understudy Brandon Dowery had to step into the shoes of Jarrod Moore who was playing leading role ‘Felicia’.

Brandon Dowery and Heath Keating performing at Priscilla the Musical

Both occurred about halfway through the three-week season at Star Gold Coast.

Producer Matt Ward of Matt Ward Entertainment said the cast were impacted despite strict health precaution including making cast and crew isolate for rehearsal weeks, take daily RAT tests and wear face masks. He admited to many sleepless night prior to and during the show while preparing for the worst case scenario after his Mamma Mia! production was impacted by Covid lockdowns.

Mr Shaw had to take to the stage with less than one hour’s notice to learn the lines of ‘Bob’.

“As the assistant director it was my job along side the dance captain to make sure the show went on no matter what,” he said.

“My stage manager came to me in the theatre and whispered in my ear that Steven Tandy who played Bob had tested positive to Covid. I had to make a split second decision on what to do.”

Priscilla the Musical at The Star Gold Coast

Mr Dowery said of stepping up into the lead role Felicia: “From the moment I found out, I had told them I would like the day to myself to do my own preparation.

“I solidified my lines, went over the songs and took a bit of time off from what was already a huge week one of shows.

“I had previously learnt the lines from the script which was given to me on day one of rehearsals, however I had never gotten a chance to speak the lines in rehearsals or on stage.

“It had always been to myself at home or skimming over scenes with other understudies in lunch breaks,” Mr Dowery said.

Priscilla the Musical at The Star Gold Coast.

Mr Dowery said he had dreamt of playing the role but never expected it to happen.

“I most certainly never wished for anything bad to happen to Jarrod,” Mr Dowery said. “We were lucky enough to build a wonderful connection and he played the role so wonderfully.

“But of course, a part of me always wanted to have the chance to perform the role on stage.”

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