DIVA: Live From Hell!, King’s Head Theatre

Luke Bayer in Diva: Live From Hell! Photo by Danny Kaan

Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.

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After a sold-out run at the Turbine Theatre last year, DIVA: Live from Hell! is now on at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington ahead of a run at the Edinburgh Fringe in August. 

It’s a one man show that tells the story of Desmond Channing, the VERY dramatic President of his High School drama club, who finds his star status threatened by newcomer Evan Harris. As a result of his actions, Desmond finds himself in the ‘Seventh Circle’, Hell’s worst cabaret bar, forced to tell his story over and over again in the hopes of proving that he has repented enough to be set free from his torment.

The King’s Head Theatre has moved to a new venue right behind the King’s Head Pub, its old home of 53 years, and it feels particularly apt that the auditorium is down in the venue’s basement. Down and down we go, ready to enter Hell! 

Pip Terry’s set is simple, eye-catching and effective. An open stage with red curtains at the back with lights all around them gives the impression that we’re in a decadent cabaret venue. The curtains open to reveal a row of lockers, transporting us to the Ronald Reagan (!) High School in Florida, setting the scene for our central character’s story. We’re instantly in familiar territory – this could be the location for any High School movie or musical – and it’s not hard to imagine that Heather Chandler, Regina George and Sharpay Evans are waiting in the wings.

READ MORE: Interview with Luke Bayer, Diva: Live From Hell!

Director Joe McNeice has managed to draw every bit of comedy out of Nora Brigid Monahan’s excellent writing. The show runs at a great pace but does have some more thoughtful moments that are all the more impactful against the camp hilarity that dominates most of the action. The show is full of Easter eggs for musical theatre fans and references to icons ranging from Patti Lupone to Kevin Kline, Barbra Streisand to, well, Lea Michele! Blink and you’ll miss them but it really is a fantastic homage to the business we call show. That said, the contents of Desmond’s “glass of water” did make me feel slightly queasy (no disrespect to Bob Fosse!).

The three piece band, under Musical Director Debbi Clarke (or “Gerry and Her Men” as Desmond describes them) are on stage, producing a fantastic sound and plenty of banter with our titular diva. The songs, written by Alexander Sage-Oyen, are all original but instantly feel familiar, there’s a classic show tune influence and the lyrics are laugh out loud funny.

Of course, the success of a one person show depends on the actor leading it. And Luke Bayer is simply phenomenal – proving himself a versatile actor, displaying fantastic vocals and performing Anna Hale’s excellent choreography with style. He plays five characters, including the drama (supply!) teacher and giggly popular girl Sarah. But the main focus is on the battle between Desmond and Evan – a feud that takes inspiration from the Bette Davis and Joan Crawford classic, All About Eve, with Desmond Channing’s name coming from Bette Davis’ character. Trying to keep the peace is Desmond’s “best friend”, Allie Hewitt, the shy and awkward stage manager who just wants him to really notice her.

Luke Bayer in Diva: Live From Hell! Photo by Danny Kaan

Bayer switches between these five characters with ease and perfect comic timing. He’ll twirl or jump across the stage, sometimes only giving a couple of words as one character before reverting to Desmond. From his posture, mannerisms, facial expressions and vocal tone it’s instantly clear who we are watching at any given time. The self-proclaimed star of the show is Desmond – he’s camp, bitchy, has zero self-awareness, and he’s hilarious. Even though Desmond is an awful person, Bayer has such charm and charisma that it’s impossible to dislike him. With his portrayal of shy Allie, he creates a character that’s completely relatable and sympathetic. Allie’s song, “My Best Friend”, is a highlight of the show and we have a moment of dawning self-awareness when Desmond notes that she’s the person he has thought of the most since his descent into Hell.

As the show ends, Desmond has a monologue that shows that perhaps he has learned something. But will that be enough to relieve him from the torment of having to tell his story over and over again in Hell’s worst cabaret venue? Buy a ticket to find out. DIVA: Live from Hell is a brilliantly entertaining show that’ll have you laughing out loud whilst simultaneously gasping with shock at Desmond’s behaviour. It should be a massive hit at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer and it deserves to be. It’s devilishly good, who knew Hell could be this much fun?!!!

DIVA: Live from Hell! runs at the King’s Head Theatre until 29th June and will then be at the Edinburgh Fringe from 1st-25th August 2024.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆