The Diana Mixtape Review

By Jude

Ever imagined watching five drag queens play Princess Diana and retell her story through banger pop songs? No? Neither did I. But now imagining is no longer necessary, because The Diana Mixtape at Outernet brings it to life and you can experience it!

The show feels like SIX the Musical colliding with &Juliet, with Diana of Wales taking centre stage. It is a concert, a musical and a drag show, what more could you want?

Iconic in their own right, drag queens Courtney Act, Divina De Campo, Priyanka, Rose, and Kitty Scott-Claus take on portraying the people’s princess, the late Princess Diana, through songs like “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga, “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo, “Lucky” by Britney Spears, and more. All five queens tackle the huge honour with grace and humility. Harmonies and support in group numbers blend seamlessly with standout solo moments. Princess Diana’s heart, accent (at times), and mannerisms are beautifully captured, while each performer maintains the unique persona known to audiences.

Keala Settle delivers a fun turn as Queen Elizabeth II, commanding the stage from the moment of entrance, no pun intended, with “Commander” by Kelly Rowland as the intro. Lucinda Lawrence’s Camilla, the “other woman,” is a truly captivating portrayal. Even before the first entrance, sneaking past the front of the pit, the energy is magnetic. Vocals and dancing match the commanding stage presence perfectly. Charles is portrayed by Noel Sullivan, providing a humorous take on the now King of England. The ensemble of dancers provides gag-worthy choreography by Taz Hoesli and supports the concert vibe.

The rest of the creative team rounds out the production. Adam Nightingale and Christopher D. Clegg’s video design, Toby P. Darvill’s lighting design, and the venue choice of Outernet add to the concert-like atmosphere. The venue offers a range of experiences: cabaret-style tables, side-view theatre seating, and two standing sections, a mezzanine above and a pit on the ground floor. Audiences can choose between a VIP night out, a classic theatre setup or a full concert-style mosh pit to bop along to the music. Costumes by River Smith and wig design by River Medway perfectly encapsulate Diana’s most iconic looks, including the short blonde hair, the blue engagement interview suit, the wedding dress and of course, the revenge dress.

The audience was laughing, singing or humming along to the upbeat numbers, and clearly emotionally moved during the touching, slower-paced moments, which created a perfect balance to the high energy. Those shifts in tone made the whole experience feel rich and dynamic, keeping the story engaging from start to finish. Because of the mix of songs and moments, the pacing was well done, the story always engaging and the 90-minute one-act show flew by. The show well deserved the cheering and clapping throughout, and the standing ovation at the end was earned. I would have stood myself, if not for already being in the pit.

The production ends on a high, enough to keep even a self-proclaimed grandma who is usually in bed by 9 pm awake for an all-nighter to write up the review.

This camp and energetic show is a celebration and a love letter to the legacy Diana left behind, and it re-inspires the rebel within all of us to make the world a better place.

Whether you’re a royal fan or just love a good camp night out, The Diana Mixtape is a must-see. And you better not hesitate, it only runs until the 10th of August.

Five stars for five Queens!