Diana : La comédie musicale

Ridiculous, laughable, toe curlingly awful.

More questions than answers...Why didn't they ask some English people to check the script? Why are the paparazzi in 1940s fancy dress? Why was Wales labelled? What were they thinking making this at all? Is it actually supposed to be a comedy?

I gave it a one because zero stars is not an option. A jaw dropping event. Hysterical, stupid, but ultimately, just damned depressing. Is this really where musical theater has gone? Into the hands of rank amateurs? It had to be written by the fifteen year old nephew of one of the producers who based his knowledge of the story on tabloid headlines. Not tabloid stories, just the headlines! If this opened during the Golden Age of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Jule Styne and Frank Loesser, it would have closed at intermission. Today it will run five years and stupid theatergoers will jump to their feet screaming with delight at the curtain call. Like I said a depressing example of NYC theater today. Rotten music, second grade version of events, inane lyrics, embarrassing performances, ugly design and inept direction and choreography Did I mention I find it insulting, demoralizing, and sad. Oh and that it's hateful in every respect.

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.

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.

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!!