Don't Tell Dad About Diana @ Underbelly Cowgate

Directed by Emma Finegan, Hannah (Hannah Power) and Conor (Conor Murray) are two best friends at the brink of adulthood in 1997’s Dublin, and they worship Lady Diana Spencer, ‘The People’s Princess’. Both Connor’s sexuality and his Lady Di memorabilia are firmly in the closet and hidden from his nationalist family, but this doesn’t stop the pair fighting for the title and besting their rival local drag queen, Shirley Temple Bar, at the Alternate Miss Ireland pageant. 

Hannah is a Catholic school student by day, seamstress by night, working tirelessly to perfect Conor’s ensembles to compete in the pageant. Power’s portrayal of Hannah is touching: she is fearlessly loyal and would do anything in her power to defend her best friend. This balances beautifully with Murray’s tender Conor, whose undying spirit is a joy to watch and lights up the moment he slips on his ‘revenge dress’. Ducking and weaving the throes of adolescence hand in hand, the pair are unstoppable, fizzing with ambition, sass and, of course, reverence for Princess Di. 

The writing is inspired, skilfully balancing whimsical humour with heartfelt sincerity wrapped up in healthy small-town charm and 90s nostalgia, best characterised in moments like when the local DJ needs to mix and burn their lip-sync track onto a CD. Thoroughly camp, a multipurpose solo wardrobe on stage covered in Lady Di memorabilia designed by Gabe Gilmour stands as a monument to Conor and Hannah’s relationship, further enhancing the tone. Power and Murray’s attention to detail is wonderful, making their storytelling all the more exhilarating to watch. A clear hallmark of their talent, the simplicity of the writing allows Hannah and Conor's relationship to unfold naturally, forging a genuine, meaningful connection with the audience that lingers long after the curtain call.

And the story extends beyond the pair: a subtle yet prevalent undercurrent of political tension runs beneath the dialogue in the wake of The Troubles. In an anti-monarchy nation, the shared affinity for a princess and cultural icon becomes quietly symbolic – a ripple of history still felt to this day.

Uplifting and unapologetically life-affirming, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana radiates from start to finish. Just as Diana lives on in the hearts of the people, Power and Murray stake their rightful claim at the beating heart of this year’s Fringe.

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Don't Tell Dad About Diana, Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Dancer), until 24 Aug, 12.50pm, £13-14