18 – 21 June
Awkward Productions bring their latest show to Bristol following a stint at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, and after the success of Gwyneth Goes Skiing.
This version, taking its title from the original biography of Diana, Princess of Wales serialised in The Daily Mail, heavily emphasises the ‘Untrue’ element.
The story, written and performed by Linus Karp in the title role, brings us The People’s Princess as we have never seen her before. Combining drag, screen projection, wild puppetry and a lot of audience interaction, this show may not have universal appeal but found favour with a large majority of the audience in the Tobacco Factory.
At times crass, vulgar and likely to offend anyone with a staunch affection for the monarchy, the narrative begins with Diana’s conception (assisted by two audience members standing in as her parents) through to her first meeting with Charles (depicted throughout by a cardboard cut-out figure) and on towards her marriage, subsequent divorce and death. Content warnings included the use of ‘strong language, puppetry, audience participation and … Camilla Parker Bowles.’ The latter is brought to life not only through satanic laughter and flashing red lights, but by a manic, animalistic puppet wielded with shameless abandon by Joseph Martin who provides able stage management during the entire show.
The delightfully camp nature and focus on Diana’s championing of, and respect for, queer love garnered huge audience appreciation throughout. Her status as a fashion icon and her work on landmines also gained approval.
Karp certainly looks the part and has Diana’s voice and doe-eyed look off to a tee. It was a shame that this tone was maintained consistently as more passion and moderation would have added some more substance and given an injection of much needed pace when the mirth flagged. Music is provided by a recorded backing track against which Karp mouthed the words and although this isn’t billed as a musical, these moments could be given more oomph with actual singing, especially since the audience was invited to sing along.
Most excitement was elicited by assigning random members of the audience with spoken acting roles. These were supplemented with dialogue projected on a high-quality screen at the back. We were treated to entrances by a palace servant, a corgi and even an MI5 spy, all greeted enthusiastically by fellow theatre goers. The Queen, performed on film by Geri Allen did a marvellous Olivia Colman impression and added some acerbic comments as the plot developed and the inevitable divorce from Charles resulted.
The show will delight many, but there were times when satire could have been more biting, and it could have gone full out for shock value and more inventive humour. Taking a hugely convoluted veer away from facts at the finale was enjoyable, but the joke wore thin after two or three iterations.
Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story has plenty to amuse, but don’t expect any members of the Royal Family to join in the fun.
★★★☆☆ Bryan J Mason 20 June 2025
Photography credit: Dave Bird
