The People’s Princess returns in spirit to the London scene through a raucous pop montage celebrating her life and legacy. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of the actors stepping into the legendary lady’s heels, to learn more about the process of her camille-onic performance.
How does it feel to be playing such a massive icon in a new West End show?
It’s super exciting! She’s such an interesting historical character. And this is one of the things that we all need to be quite acutely aware of — that we’re playing a real human being. It’s a very different experience to me in comparison to my previous works. I’m usually quite flippant and flippery. However, as for my approach when performing a real person, it’s another story. All in all, this is very much a celebration and a love letter to Diana and her impact on the world.
How do you balance out the irreverence of drag queen show with a respectful approach to the character?
I think the script has done a lot of that work. Once you get into the rehearsal process, you try ideas out — and then, you go from one base to another. You try what’s right and what’s not — and you have some space to get all of that settled. Sometimes, you need to get too far to realize that isn’t what you want — and then, you hold back. The five of us will also be doing that with one another.
How would you describe your approach to the role?
The script is always the Bible to me: what people are trying to say, which things we’re trying to pull out from the characters, what are the little nods and what implication there are. All of them help to inform you how to perform.
I presume your performance will not be an exact replica of the real Diana. What little additions have you included in the role?
This is a celebration put together through pop music. It’s a musical concert featuring Diana — although I don’t remember seeing Diana singing any pop anthems! That means it can’t be an exact replica. There will be nods and mannerisms in there, but it will be a mixture between Diana and my drag queen persona.
Why do we have 5 different Dianas in the show?
They all represent slightly different eras in her life. There are conversations among them —and through the memories they hold, the story is driven forward.
Apart from playing such a legendary real-life character, have you found any other particular challenges in this role?
Honestly, the biggest challenge to me is remembering the choreography! (laughs) I haven’t danced professionally for a long while, so my recall is not quite it was — so that’s something that I’m working on at the moment!
What do you think King Charles would say if he came see the show?
I really couldn’t tell, but he might say “off with their heads”!
Why come see The Diana Mixtape?
Because it’s a huge celebration of Diana and her life. It’s going to be an extremely joyous event!
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The Diana Mixtape will play at London’s Here at the Outernet from 29 July to 10 August. Tickets are available on the following link.