It is 1997, and Princess Diana has just died, leaving the country in a state of hysteria. This new one man show takes us through the event’s aftermath and its impact on the emotional life of one ordinary man as he wonders what the ensuing outpour of national grief says about our society.
This is a highly engaging performance in which the personal and political collide, each throwing light on the other.
Francis Tucker‘s performance makes the show. He skillfully keeps pace with the monologue’s swift changes from hilarity to sadness to hysteria and back again. Physically, he gives an extremely compelling performance, seemingly addressing each member of the audience personally as he bounds erratically around the stage, capturing the pent-up energy of his character.
Occasionally, the narrative drags a little, but this is usually quickly followed by a change in pace or direction. Despite the occasional lull, by the time the show reached its finale every single member of the audience seemed to be completely engaged with the events unfolding onstage.
Robert Farquhar’s writing is witty, caustic and sarcastic, yet also captures the vulnerability and frailty of his protagonist. The script is elegant but unforced, with a unique and interesting turn of phrase. At its best, it feels spontaneous.
This is a highly engaging performance in which the personal and political collide, each throwing light on the other. Farquhar has perfectly captured how it felt to be in a specific place at a specific time and at the same time managed to say something universal.
