Review: Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story
- The Verdict
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
Absolutely brilliant.
As part of the International Fringe Encores Series, Awkward Productions is back at SoHo Playhouse with another of their gleefully unhinged shows! In its American debut, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story is the most irreverent, energetic, and frankly absurd retelling of Princess Diana’s story, and in true Awkward Productions fashion, it is incredibly clever. Taking the audience on a journey through her (heavily embellished) life, the joy of the show and signature Fringe style of Awkward Productions made this show one of the most enjoyable nights out in New York.
Linus Karp is a sensation as the title character. Guiding the audience through the story with hilarious quips and ad libs, he dazzles in this role. One of his greatest feats in this show is his ability to keep the audience engaged, because for portions of the show, he is not actually speaking to anyone onstage. In typical Awkward Productions style, there are many virtual cameos projected on a large screen at the back of the stage that Karp interacts with to tell the story, and it is thanks to his engaging and magnetic personality (along with the humor of the script) that kept the show moving. Additionally, whenever he entered in one of Diana’s iconic costumes (designed by Amy Pitt), cheers rippled through the theater—a perfect tribute to the Princess’s signature flair.
Unfortunately, for those familiar with Awkward Productions, Joseph Martin did not have much stage time. Still, he was a major part of the show by providing the offstage voices for many characters, most notably Prince Charles and the demonic puppet Camilla. This culminated in a terrifying and hysterical dance moment in which Martin twirled puppet Camilla around the stage in a fantastic dance break, as she gleefully wreaked havoc on Diana’s life and the royal marriage—all while keeping the audience in stitches.
Beyond Karp’s Diana, the show includes countless other characters. As usual, there was considerable audience participation, with many members playing roles such as Royal Nannies, Diana’s Dad, and the Queen’s corgi, always drawing laughs from the crowd. There were also a host of virtual performances, from Rob Madge voicing Mother Teresa, to the incomparable Geri Allen as Queen Elizabeth, and, knowingly self-aware, Jeanna DeWaal. Having played Diana in the famous Broadway flop musical about the Princess, she delighted the audience with jokes referencing Diana: The Musical during her back and forth with Karp. As previously mentioned, Prince (now King) Charles was an ever-present member of the show, mainly because, as a physical cardboard cutout, he was forever stationary. Martin’s witty voiceover was laced with Charles’ dry humor, constantly making fun of his “whatever love means” moment. Somehow, Awkward Productions always manages to cast the best possible lineup of guest performers!
Although the show is entirely an unapologetically campy comedy, it never loses sight of Diana’s love for the queer community, constantly referencing and celebrating it throughout the performance. It is that aspect that elevates this show from a mere farcical romp to a farcical romp with heart, showcasing the cleverness of Karp and Martin’s writing. Now having seen all three of Awkward Productions’ shows, I can confidently say that these three Fringe-born shows demand all the accolades and attention they receive, and I am eagerly awaiting what’s to come! Their ability to perform in major, high-profile venues while still retaining the scrappy, irreverent charm of a Fringe festival production—the very quality that hooked me this summer—is what makes these shows such remarkable achievements. That is, before you mention Karp and Martin’s performances, which tie the production together. With only a handful of performances remaining, this is a brilliant night of theatre well worth seeking out while you still can!
5/5 stars
75 minutes
SoHo Playhouse
Through January 10, 2026
