ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story
★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Eliott
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Awkward Productions, co-run by Linus Karp and partner Joseph Martin, have had quite the fringe these last few years; ‘How to Live a Jellicle Life, life lessons from the 2019 hit movie musical ‘Cats’’ toured all across the UK, enjoyed success at the fringe in 2022, and now, in the most well-timed move from the company, they have turned their heads to royalty, and have made the people’s princess their latest fixation in a show new to 2023, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. Prior to a UK Tour, the show is selling out at Pleasance Dome, and judging by the likeability factor of both Karp and Martin, you can absolutely see why; talking to them both post-show, you can see that the hysteria for this show from fans all over has not heightened the ego of this duo, both creatives who want to share fun and positivity with those who came to have a good time, and Diana is definitely a night you’ll remember.
Audience participation is always something one may dread, but the choosing pre-show of this from Joseph Martin who hands out cards whilst you’re being seated, ensures you that you will not make a fool of yourself on stage… well, unless you happen to be one of the queen’s four-legged friends. Unlike Jellicle, Joseph Martin plays a vital role in the show, one which maybe you’re not meant to see or pay too much attention to, but still one that erupts most of the laughs from the audience; a point to make here too, is that whilst these moments are fun, sometimes the sound design can be a little deafening, but otherwise, it’s great to see so much hilarity happen on stage. Geri Allen and Zina Badran also feature too, virtually as The Queen and God, Linus Karp however is the star of this star. Poised with elegance as Diana, you are hanging on every word, as Karp embodies Diana to perfection; you genuinely feel at points that you should be standing for such an event, but we do get our own moment in the limelight when we are allowed to act as paparazzi and mob Diana as she descends the staircase.
So now Cats The Movie and the Royal Family have had their stories twisted to create such high-energised pieces, it’ll be interesting to see where Awkward Productions turns to next.
