The Diana Mixtape is a loud, camp, and joyous jukebox musical and drag show that pays homage to Princess Diana with a cast of drag queens and pop hits. Critics have praised the energetic performances, iconic costume recreations, and the show’s ability to create a fun, interactive atmosphere, making it a memorable night out for fans of drag and pop music, rather than a traditional theatre experience.
The Diana Mixtape is a one-act, concert-style musical extravaganza with a pop soundtrack that features recreations of Diana’s most iconic fashion moments..
Stars a cast of well-known drag queens, including Priyanka, Kitty Scott-Claus, Rosé, and Divina De Campo, alongside special guests like Keala Settle and Noel Sullivan.
YASS met Divina De Campo and she revealed everything we needed to know about this fun performance.
How did you each get involved with “The Diana Mixtape”, and what was your reaction when you were cast to play Princess Diana?
I’d been trying to work with Tuckshop for an eternity but there was always a conflict in time or a pandemic! So the planets finally aligned I had a space and they had a show! And who wouldn’t jump at the chance to play a cultural icon like Diana?!
What does portraying Princess Diana mean to you personally—as queer artists and public figures in drag?
There’s a responsibility to me to treat it with respect, this was a real person who had a massive impact nationally and internationally. Obviously I’m a drag artist so there has to be fun and irreverence in there as well and thankfully the show delivers that in spades.
How has your background in drag and reality TV influenced your approach to theatrical acting? Was it a smooth transition or a challenge?
I’ve been making theatre since I was tiny and come from a contemporary arts background. Rolling around in sand, or beans often naked. Once you can do that you can pretty much do anything lol. So I always start with the script and my job (as I see it) is to fill in any gaps with the character for an audience. The script usually gives you everything you need and with a character like Diana there’s so much written and video of and about her there’s no shortage of information.
You bring a lot of comedy to your drag. How did you balance humor with the emotional depth Diana’s story demands?
I think lots of us forget just how fun Diana was she did so many things that were bold and brave but she also had a vivacious personality. Similarly to Judy Garland. The tragedy of her life being cut short colours our memories. So I’ve tried to bring some of that out as well as some good old fashioned silliness.
What part of Diana’s story resonated most with you as a performer and as a queer person?
Her shaking hands with Aids patients was a real turning point in the public conception of the virus. It reminded us that these people who the press were determinedly demonising and stigmatising were people and needed kindness not ostracisation.
That small but very human act showed the right wing press for who they were.
What do you hope audiences—especially queer ones—take away from *The Diana Mixtape?
Joy. We are living in such a terrible time, wars, famines, genocide, attacks on freedom and lgbt rights. We need joy and more specifically queer joy. I really hope people take that away!
In true Diana fashion: If you could leave one rebellious legacy through your drag and this show, what would it be?
Solidarity and love.
We are all connected and the sooner we remember that the better for all of us.
YASS Magazine 