Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, Underbelly Cowgate Review
Written by Kerry McLaughlin for Theatre & Tonic
When you think of Princess Diana, you think of grace, elegance and *that* dress. What Don’t Tell Dad About Diana brings is something new to the table. Unlike many pieces of media across the board, this show doesn’t focus on the woman herself, but instead the influence she had and still does on the world.
The show revolves around two best friends who are entering the Alternate Miss Ireland in 1997. August 31st, 1997. As someone who wrote an essay on Princess Diana’s death for Higher English, I was instantly hooked on the show. We are immersed in Irish culture without it overshadowing the main arcs of the play. The theme of grief is a strong presence throughout with the moment Diana’s death is revealed, it takes on a whole new life; we don’t just see the two characters grieve for the Princess, but also the world that’s been left behind. As the show progresses, we also see how the friendship changes between the characters, and somehow, mourning the relationship they had as kids is now gone, replaced with an adult one they’ve got no experience with. Hannah and Conor are powerhouses throughout the whole show, their energy bouncing off each other, making the audience feel like we’ve known them for years.
Read Now: Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#25) Hannah Power & Conor Murray, DON’T TELL DAD ABOUT DIANA
There’s a careful balance between laughs, heartache, reminiscing and new beginnings blended without ever going too far in any direction that gives this show a strong establishment to go far.
Don’t Tell Dad About Diana plays at the Underbelly Cowgate until 24 August
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
