Diana : The Untold & Untrue Story
"The most surreal evening in a theatre we've ever experienced'”
We’ve just spent, perhaps the most surreal evening in a theatre that we’ve ever experienced. It’s like Douglas Adams and the cast of Monty Python all went to sleep, had a combined dream and wrote a panto (well, it’s the right season for it!)
Before we get to the main event, we must mention the very witty talent of Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK), who took to the stage as the warmup act for the first 30 minutes. She astounded us with her version of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing (in the original key, as she is keen to point out!) Her set, about the musical film Grease, pointing out the absurdity of 30-somethings playing teenagers, is worth the trip in itself.
Now back to the main event…
Imagine Lady Di, The Peoples’ Princess & Queen of Hearts (to give her the full title!) is the writer/director/choreographer and is also playing Snow White. Meanwhile The Queen is…well…the wicked Queen, but the weapon of choice isn’t a red apple but a tunnel (too soon?!)
This crazy production is essentially a one person show, performed to surrealist perfection by Linus Karp, but is supported by Joseph Martin brandishing a monstrous rag-doll version of Camilla, and various audience members, primed to jump up out of their seats, or onto stage and deliver their lines that appear on the screen. Oh and don’t forget the cardboard cut-out of Prince Charles…whatever Cardboard Cut-out means (when you know, you know!)
The show began its life in the fringe festival environment and it certainly has that feel about it – how else would you combine Lorraine Kelly, God & Captain Sir Tom? The show is quirky, is willing to take risks by putting unrehearsed and unfiltered audience members on stage, and unashamedly a little rough around the edges (the costumes are more charity shop than Chanel!) The Clapham Grand, with its club feel is an appropriate setting.
At the end of the performance, @awkwardprods took the opportunity to promote their Christmas show, Gwyneth Goes Skiing (yes, an homage to Gwyneth Paltrow!) which you can catch from the 13th December.
You can follow @awkwardprods on the usual socials.
This show was reviewed on the 6th December 2023.
Review written by Paul Wood & Ian Worsfold
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Photo credit: Dave Bird
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