THE DIANA MIXTAPE

Here at Outernet

★★★★★

“Bold, brilliant, and bursting with love”

What do you get when you mix pop music, drag royalty, and one of the most beloved figures in modern history? You get The Diana Mixtape musical, a joyful, high-energy, and heartwarming show that completely blew the roof off! This isn’t just a musical. It’s a full-on party, a tribute, and a celebration rolled into one fabulous, glitter-filled night.

Telling the story of Princess Diana like you’ve never seen it before, the show turns her life into a gig of a lifetime. With iconic music originally performed by Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, and more, the soundtrack is pure pop perfection. The songs fit Diana’s journey so well, blending fun, emotion, and strength in every beat. You’ll laugh, you might cry, but most of all, you’ll be dancing in your seat.

In a brilliant and bold twist, Diana is played not by one actor, but five drag superstars: Courtney Act, Divina De Campo, Kitty Scott-Claus, Rosé, and Priyanka. Each brings their own sparkle, wit, and charm to the role, showing different sides of the People’s Princess. They aren’t imitations, they’re tributes, each full of love, power, and sass. Watching these performers own the stage is nothing short of magic.

And then there’s Keala Settle as Queen Elizabeth II, and what an entrance she makes! Best known for her powerhouse voice in The Greatest Showman, Settle brings the house down with her performance. She’s commanding, hilarious, and totally unforgettable, delivering both comedy and class with ease. Her scenes light up the stage, and her presence is simply outstanding.

Noel Sullivan is a fantastic Prince Charles, balancing charm and awkwardness perfectly, while Lucinda Lawrence brings a cool confidence to Camilla. The dancers, Ashton Bradley, Henry Chatfield, Jordan Jewell, Theo Simpson, and Leo Udvarlaky, keep the energy sky-high with fierce moves and flawless timing.

Behind the scenes, the show is just as strong. Directed and created by Christopher D. Clegg, every detail is polished to perfection. Costumes by River Smith bring back Diana’s most iconic looks with a glamorous twist. Choreography by Taz Hoesli is sharp, clever, and full of attitude. The wigs, the lighting, the video design, everything works together to create an unforgettable atmosphere.

But beyond the glitter and laughs, there’s real heart in this show. It’s a beautiful tribute to Diana’s legacy, her kindness, her strength, and the way she made people feel seen and loved. The Diana Mixtape is full of fun, but it’s also full of meaning. It reminds us why Diana is still adored by millions.

If you love pop music, drag, theatre, or just want to feel good for 90 minutes straight, this show is a must-see. Bold, brilliant, and bursting with love, The Diana Mixtape is a royal triumph. Long live the Queen of Hearts!

THE DIANA MIXTAPE

Here at Outernet

Reviewed on 31st July 2025

by Beatrice Morandi

Photography by Harry Elletson

Previously reviewed at this venue:

PRISCILLA THE PARTY! | ★★★★★ | March 2024

THE DIANA MIXTAPE

★★★★

“an absolute treat”

Come Dine With Me is a national treasure of British television, having been on our screens on Channel 4 since 2005. It’s contributed greatly to the world of meme culture and is much-loved (and watched) by people all over the world. Given the success of previous television-inspired musicals, such as the hugely popular Great British Bake Off: The Musical, it makes perfect sense that someone has finally had the idea of turning this TV classic into the next big fringe musical hit.

The team comprises writer and lyricist Sam Norman, composer Aaron King, and is co-created with Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch, who both work directly on the actual TV show itself. It all starts with the TV crew – producer, camera, and sound operator – farcically falling about the auditorium as the audience take their seats. The show starts and there’s a problem: the nation loves Come Dine With Me, but ratings aren’t what they used to be, and the producer Mary (Daniele Coombe) needs something really special to happen to maintain the show’s success. The format then follows that of the TV show: four contestants take it in turns to host a dinner party, each getting a score from the others, and the winner receives a £1000 cash prize. The writers do a neat job at briefly packing this exposition into the start of the narrative, just to make sure anyone who hasn’t seen the show is caught up. What follows is a bit different though. As the nights begin the contestants are being sabotaged by someone, but who? A nightmare for the contestants, this becomes an opportunity for peak TV drama for Mary.

I’m a slight cynic when it comes to big title musical adaptations based on reality TV shows, but turns out I had nothing to fear with this one. The songs are excellent, with some cracking lyrics; Teddy (Harry Chandler) self-describing as ‘a virgin on the verge of turning into a hermit’ as a standout line.

Sure, there’s not much depth to the story, but with a slick 60-minute run time you don’t need it really. The cast give fantastic performances. Coombe’s vocals are electric and her stage presence commanding, with a semi-villainous number giving her a real opportunity to shine.

The top performance though comes from Chandler as Teddy, who plays the awkward nerdiness to perfection. He makes his body small and wriggly, and is charmingly adorable in his interactions with love interest Janey (Sophie Hutchinson). His vocals are incredible, with a rich, deep voice that is tightly controlled and a joy to listen to. I was going to add that he’d make a superb Enjolras in Les Mis, but a quick CV search shows he’s actually played the part already! And no surprise there. Chandler and Hutchinson delight with their duet singing ‘We could drink champagne, we could light a candle, we could share a meal, when the world feels inhumane.’ It’s a real highlight of the show.

Some of the characters feel more fleshed out than others. Kim Ismay is a lot of fun as the stiff upper-lipped Barbara and her song about cooking French cuisine is a hoot. It would be great to see the other contestants developed a bit further for the show’s future life, which I really hope this gets as it’s an absolute treat.

Tag Archives: Leo Udvarlaky

THE DIANA MIXTAPE

★★★★★

Here at Outernet

THE DIANA MIXTAPE

Here at Outernet

★★★★★

“Bold, brilliant, and bursting with love”