Combining drag, multimedia, audience interaction, puppetry and queer joy, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story is a unique celebration of the People’s Princess. Told by Diana from Heaven, the show highlights her ground-breaking stances on social and queer issues and allows her to speak her (un)truth in breaking free from the monarchy. It is as hilarious as it is tasteless.
Through bold activism, Diana changed countless lives and drew attention to vulnerable groups in society. She is a symbol of independence – breaking free from a loveless marriage and a suffocating institution – and has become more legend than person.
Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story foregrounds her as the powerful, independent woman she wasn’t meant to be. Writer and performer, Linus Karp will bring Diana to life as the only actor on stage, other members of the royal family will appear in videos, voiceovers, as dolls and cut-outs. Geri Allen (Operation Mincemeat, The Fortune Theatre) portrays The Queen, Joseph Martin (The Gunpowder Plot, Layered Reality) voices Prince Charles, and Zina Badran (Doctor Who, BBC) joins as God via interactive video clips.
Linus Karp comments, Having toured the UK with this show, it is clear to me what a special place Diana holds in people’s hearts. She is an icon, a myth, a legend, a meme Queen. Telling her story through a queer and comedic lens, whilst highlighting her status as a fashion icon as well as her ground-breaking stances on issues like AIDS and landmines is such a privilege. Her bold activism improved countless queer lives and I am proud to be able to share her legacy.
Linus Karp and Awkward Productions will also bring how to live a jellicle life: life lessons from the 2019 hit movie musical ‘cats’, an award-winning night of queer chaos, to Pleasance (Ace Dome) from 17th – 27th August. This loving and self-aware look at one of the biggest cinematic flops in recent history offers audiences a TED-talk style insight into how to make their lives more jellicle.
