THE colourful Aussie road movie turned stage production Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is returning to Southampton next week.

Jason Donovan is making his debut as producer on the glittering hit musical which will run at Mayflower Theatre for six sparkling nights from Monday to Saturday.

Guiding the 90s heartthrob in his new role are the team from Mark Goucher productions, who were behind theWest End and UK tour productions of Hairspray and Fame.

The musical originally opened in Australia in 2006 before transferring to London’s West End, where Jason originated the role of Anthony ‘Tick’ Belrose, aka Mitzi Del Bra, which he reprised during a UK tour which came to Southampton in the summer of 2013.

The West End star and former Neighbours actor told the Daily Echo: “Having spent years performing and always harbouring the desire to become more involved in the creative process, I've been delighted to join Mark Goucher as producer on this wonderful show.

“Priscilla is perfect vehicle to venture into the world of producing and bringing all my experience on the show seems the logical next step.

“It is such a wonderful Australian story about diversity. It is a modern musical with a great heart.”

This is the flamboyant musical version of the ultimate Aussie road trip.

Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three unlikely friends who hop aboard a battered old bus in search of love and friendship.

Based on the 1994 film of the same name starring Donovan's former Neighbours co-star, Guy Pearce, as well as Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp, Priscilla follows the hilarious adventure of three friends – Felicia Jollygoodfellow, Mitzi Del Bra and Bernadette Bassenger – who hop aboard a tour bus bound for Alice Springs to stage the show of a lifetime.

On their travels they meet a variety of characters, including a group of friendly Aboriginal Australians and homophobic gangs as they cross the country on their bus, Priscilla.

The movie was a surprise smash with audiences around the world upon its release, pioneering positive portrayals of drag artists and winning an Academy Award for best costume design.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk