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A Princess Diana musical is heading to the UK… and Denise Welch is playing the Queen
We can't believe the headline's real either.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2023 
There’s a musical about Princess Diana set to hit the stage in London later this year, and the cast is rather unexpected.
As exclusively revealed by What’s On Stage yesterday, the cult-favourite DIANA will officially be making its way over to the UK for the first time ever this December after becoming a smash-hit on Broadway when it premiered back in autumn of 2021, and also going on to become a viral legend when it landed on Netflix that same year.
In case it’s the first you’re hearing of it, DIANA is the work of renowned American playwrite Joe DiPietro and Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan – who have previously collaborated on Memphis.
Although the People’s Princess may seem like a bizarre choice of stage show subject, with satirical musicals and productions about Prince Andrew, Tony Blair, and even the ‘Wagatha Chrisie’ trial all having already having come to fruition in recent months, perhaps Lady Di being the star of the show isn’t as bizarre as it initially seems.
The cast, however, is still best described as unexpected – or one particular cast member is, shall we say.
We’re not referring to the two musical theatre heavyweight actresses who have been announced to take on the coveted role of Princess Diana at two different stages of her life, Kerry Ellis – who has previously had starring roles in Wicked and Anything Goes – and Greater Manchester‘s very-own Maiya Quansah-Breed, who was born in Eccles and was an original cast member of Six.
Of course, when we say ‘unexpected’, we’re referring to the fact that TV actress and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has also been announced to guest star in the show.
And in the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II, no less.
After the cast for the London version of the musical was announced yesterday, the name Denise Welch started trending on Twitter pretty much straight away as fans were so shocked by it all and just couldn’t believe what they were reading.
Essentially, DIANA charts the rise of Diana Spencer as she becomes the princess of the people.
The show is a tale split into two parts – with an older Diana both narrating and reflecting back on her life and that of her 19-year old self.
Described as being “a new concert version” of the hit original musical production, some of the show’s most well-known musical numbers that audience members can look forward to include ‘Secrets and Lies’, ‘Here Comes James Hewitt’, and ‘She Moves In the Most Modern Ways’.
Read more:
- A musical theatre rave where you can belt out show tunes is coming to Manchester
- Matty Healy delivers perfect reply to being called a ‘slack-jawed f***wit’ by Noel Gallagher
- ‘Rowdy’ audience members removed from musical in Manchester prompt theatre etiquette discussion
DIANA will hit the stage at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for one night only on 4 December 2023 at 7:30pm, and tickets are on sale now.
Grab them here, if you fancy.
Featured Image – ITV
