Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story is a joyful reimagining of the Princess of Wales' life, told with wildly speculative poetic licence.
Take that, Camilla
Linus Karp, our leading man is a "very demure, very mindful" Lady Di, with an uncanny impersonation of her intonation, mannerisms, and hatred of landmines. Charles is a cardboard cut out (probably still a better dancer than the original), the Queen is on a permanent Zoom call, and Camilla appears as a life-size rag doll possessed by a terrifying demon.
The rest of the show relies on audience participation. Various members of the public are brandished with character names and props, unsure of their lines until the very moment they are called on stage. This night's show conveniently featured a lot of 'theatre kids', but the format could work just as well with more reluctant volunteers, adding to the humour of the show and generating a level of overall audience engagement that I don't think I've ever seen at another Fringe show (including improv).
Lady Di’s life story is such well-trod material that it would be hard to imagine a new angle, but Awkward Productions capture the spirit of our fascination with this almost mythical princess and use it to bring joy to the masses. And Karp’s passionate messages of support for the queer community, a cause close to both the actor and character’s hearts, were a touching aspect of the show. Such an enjoyable evening of entertainment, camaraderie, and LGBTQ+ allyship. Take that, Camilla — 1-nil.
