Don’t Tell Dad About Diana is a fantastic Fringe debut and piece of new writing, equal parts hilarious and touching.
Right from the start, when Hannah Power strode on stage in bright pink cycling shorts and a Yale hoodie, and Conor Murray appeared in a huge wedding dress before a wardrobe shrine to Princess Diana, I was completely drawn into the glittery teenage world of Conor and Hannah.
The story follows two best friends preparing to compete in the Alternative Miss Ireland contest. Hannah has her heart set on becoming a fashion designer, while Conor dreams of performing. Their act is a Princess Diana drag performance (after all, who could be a better role model than the revenge-dress-wearing activist?). Their families, however, are deeply nationalist. The year is 1997.
What follows is a moving portrait of friendship and sanctity, at times subversive and always camp. The plot remains light-hearted and comical, even when handling difficult topics, and the journey we are taken on is absolutely brilliant.
It is also remarkable how much ground is covered—Irish nationalism, homophobia, adolescence, Lady Di—yet it never feels as though too much is being forced into one piece. Where many shows can become bogged down by overreach, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana strikes the balance perfectly.
Power and Murray’s writing is incredibly smart. Their exploration of Irish life, adolescent friendship, and the pull of moving away from home feels grounded in reality, while being interwoven with cheeky humour and sharp observational moments (especially about Hannah’s grandmother).
The chemistry between the two actors is beautiful. Power and Murray bounce off each other’s energy exceptionally well, and their portrayal of close friendship has an intimacy that is a delight to watch. It is refreshing, too, to see a queer character with such a safe and affirming space in his friendship with Hannah, and the show’s handling of homophobia is emotionally compelling.
Don’t Tell Dad About Diana was entirely worthy of the standing ovation it received. Power and Murray are undoubtedly rising stars of both writing and performance.
The show is running until 24 August at Underbelly Cowgate.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Erica Verling, provided to The Student as press material.