Diana: O Musical

Once my dog ate a large section of cooked turkey giblets string included and when he did a poo the string ran through the middle of it holding section of poo together in one long line. That's what this is like in terms of its musical strength. It's one bit of poo strung together by very poor string-like dialogue.

This doesn't know what it is or what it's trying to be is the take-home feeling I had. The cast aren't bad as in their vocals and performances (characters aside) are pretty sharp and don't miss but they're lost in the tack. I feel bad for the cast to be honest they must have known this was a big chance to take and it was gonna be loved or loathed. Maybe it will do well or at least better as a live stage show complete with audience but I can recall and sing at least one line from every song having just watched it the once so that's how mediocre and run of the mill generic, predictable and generally naff and unremarkable the songs are.

Stage, costumes, lighting etc - really well done. Just not enough to carry the rest unfortunately.

I honestly dont undestand all the bad reviews on this one, definetely overhated.

It does have some cringy lines and weak dialogue but its overall a more than decent musical. Theres no song in partiuclar that drove me crazy but the choreography, script and production are good.

It is an almost sung-through musical, so keep that in mind in case you expected some scattered songs throught.

Regarding veracity, i have no idea tbh. I couldnt care less about the royal family of the UK so it might have not been 100% historically accurate and i probably woulndt have noticed. For my basic knowledge, it covered it all but i couldnt testify to it being perfect in that area.

Overall an entertaining musical that doesnt particularly bring anything new to the table but its more than an acceptable addition.

If you are not a fan of musicals, this wont be the one that makes you like them, so maybe just skip it.

If you usually enjoy musicals, give it a chance!!

Just about every review for this trashed it before I had a chance to watch it, so I went in with low expectations.

Is it cliche? Yep.

Is it cheesy? Yep.

Haven't we heard it all before? Yep.

Still, I enjoyed it.

Sure, it's no Phantom or Rogers & Hammerstein spectacular, but it's a boppy, kitschy, ninety-minute sing-fest through the royal family. And, really, there's only so much you can cram into a musical that covers 30+ years of someone's life, so don't go in expecting anything too deep and meaningful.

But it is a decent way to spend an afternoon, the sets are well designed, as are the costumes.

I laughed so hysterically through this I was brought to tears multiple times. A+ acid trip of cringe, awe and downright befuddlement.

Anyone that rated this above a 2 needs to be examined.

A lyrically bankrupt torture scene lasting two hours cleverly edited to feel like four.

The only saving grace is the use of the word "sod" five times (an underrated insult) and Barbara Cartland's introduction of James Hewitt, the majesty of which is a sight to behold.