Writer Linus Karp has carefully crafted a modern take on the iconic story of Princess Diana that will take to the stage of Manchester’s Cultplex this May.

The story of Diana has been told in many ways, whether it be with the award winning Netflix series, ‘The Crown’ or the 2021 film ‘Spencer’ and 25 years after her unexpected death, society is still fascinated by her story. However, this is a story written and played by Karp as he explores Diana’s past and takes the audience on the journey with him as he plays the princess’s ghost in drag. 

The idea came about when Karp rediscovered a script that he started working on last springtime, this was inspired by his love but also his mother in law’s love for the princess. 

Karp says “the show is a queer take on Diana’s life, it goes all through all the memorable events that we remember but it’s not really told as it happened, it’s written in the perspective of how we wish things turned out for her.” 

After taking a few weeks to write the play last year, Linus tells us how he continuously had to tweak the play because of things like Prince Harry’s controversial book and now with the King’s coronation. 

He also tells us why it’s important to keep Diana’s legacy alive, “I just think she's so fascinating and 26 years after her death she is still so relevant and even the younger generation absolutely love her and love what she did for members of the queer community like holding hands with AIDs patients”. As well as this, the Princess spoke openly about mental health, eating disorders and the landmines which Linus calls “groundbreaking” and “inspiring”. 

The play will be coming to the Manchester Cultplex, an independent cinema above GRUB in Red Bank, tickets for the theatre production are on sale now for £15. A matinee performance will begin at 2.30pm followed by an evening performance at 7.30pm. Find out more at cultplex.co.uk.