10:28am Monday 6th July 2009
By Stephanie Tye
WHEN Steven Cleverley started tap dancing in his Gran's kitchen at the age of four, no one could have guessed that nearly 20 years later he would be appearing on the West End stage every night opposite some of the biggest names in showbiz.
Or that he'd be doing it in high heels and an array of fabulous frocks.
The former Churchfields pupil is currently starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, at the Palace Theatre in London alongside Jason Donovan.
Every night he puts on his make-up, pulls on a variety of fabulous costumes and high kicks his way into the audience's hearts at the show.
The 23-year-old has met a whole host of stars since the show opened including David Hasselhoff, Lorraine Kelly, Vanessa Feltz and Kylie and Danni Minogue.
Priscilla isn't the dance teacher's first experience of the West End. He has also appeared in La Cage aux Folles and The Producers. As well as the dresses, Steven also has to don numerous wigs, headdresses, feather boas and even corsets.
And according to his mum Jenny, he's lost two and a half inches off his waist since he started the run from wearing them.
Although he may be commanding the West End stage, proud Jenny said Steven's dancing career hadn't got off to an easy start.
"We'd started going to Judith Hockaday for dance lessons because she had taught me years ago, " she said.
"He went along and did it for years, and then all of a sudden he started getting trouble from some of the girls and gave it up.
"He wasn't dancing for about 12 months, but was so miserable that he decided to give it another go.
"And he hasn't looked back since."
As well as dance lessons at the Old Town school, Steven also attended drama classes and joined the choir.
"When he told me he wanted to get to the West End I said that even if I have to work four jobs we'll pay the money to get you there, " she said.
"I'm so proud of him that he's achieved his dream. The whole family is.
"When you see him up on stage he is wonderful."
REVIEW
FABULOUS. I don't think there is any other word that sums up Priscilla, Queen of the Desert quite so perfectly.
And that goes for every single cast member, from Jason Donovan to Swindon's very own Steven Cleverley to members of the ensemble.
The show follows the adventures of three Australian drag queens as they travel from Sydney to Alice Springs on a battered old bus, called Priscilla.
And boy, do they travel in style. From dresses made out of flip-flops and neon sparkly green pyjamas to stripy cheerleader outfits (complete with pompom wigs) and lyrca catsuits -there were feathers and glitter aplenty.
The show features songs everyone knows and loves - I Will Survive, Say A Little Prayer, Don't Leave Me This Way, Go West and almost the entire back catalogue of that Aussie (and gay) icon, Ms Kylie Minogue.
Jason Donovan is perfect as drag queen Mitzi, Tony Sheldon shines as Bernadette and Oliver Thornton is absolutely fantastic as Felicia.
But what about our Swindon boy?
There is only one word, and that is amazing. You can add an 'utterly' in front of that if you'd like two words.
Whether he was kicking up his heels in a pencil skirt (no easy task), shimmying across the stage as a paintbrush or wowing the crowd in a spectacular gold corset and feathered headdress, he commanded the stage.
And he has legs that any woman in that audience would die for.
With all the doom and gloom that's around at the moment, this show is the perfect way to forget all about them.
It is one of the best nights I have had at the theatre. Go along, and I guarantee you will come out with a smile.
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT Palace Theatre, London, booking until February 2010. Tickets from £20.25 - £59.25. Call the box office on 0871 297 0740.
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