The challenge of being accepted when you live on the fringes of society as a transgender person is something one of the stars of Musical Theatre Gisborne’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert knows only too well. “Gender illusionist” Joanne Neilson talks to Kim Parkinson about her life — from growing up knowing she was different to her cabaret career to her role as Bernadette in MTG’s latest stage show, which opens at the War Memorial Theatre on November 15.

As a transgender cabaret artist, Joanne Neilson is happiest on the stage.