The Diana Mixtape Pre-Launch At The Outernet

Are you a fan of Princess Diana? Know your sashay away from your Shantay you stay? Then you are in luck, because this summer ‘The Diana Mixtape’ launches at The Outernet. Featuring an all-star studded cast, drag icons Courtney Act, Priyanka, Divina De Campo, Rosé and Kitty Scott-Claus star in a bold new drag musical. As a personal fan of both Drag Race, and Diana, this was the crossover I never saw coming. But I shouldn’t be surprised. After all Diana was ‘The Queer icon’, known for her work to combat the stigma surrounding HIV in the 80’s and 90’s. She challenged public perception by opening the first purpose-built HIV/AIDS unit in London and shaking hands with patients without gloves, to destigmatize the disease. At a time where predjudice ran rampant, she demonstrated a powerful form of allyship. She also had close relationships with queer individuals including Elton John and Freddie Mecury. As well as her personal life, she was known for her iconic fashion (the revenge dress anyone?), endearing personality and friendliness.

If she was alive today, i’d imagine she’d be hanging out with all the queens, and championing their fierce, fabulous selves. She’d go to drag brunch, start a petition to replace the Prime Minister with a Drag King, and work with queer charities to make lives better. That’s why The Diana Mixtape’ strikes me as a love letter to Diana, and the legacy she leaves behind. Each queen declaring their reverence for Princess Di, why she was an icon, and what makes her memorable all these years later. A bold in your face royal hoot, each performer will take on the role of Diana herself. 5 Diana’s. 5 queen’s. What could possibly go wrong? But what makes these specific queens perfect for the job? Divina De Campo, one of the stand out stars from Drag Race UK Season one. Her accolades include Mary Sunshine in Chicago (2021-2022), best performance in a musical ( UK Theatre Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Spongebob Musical as Plankton.

Priyanka, one of my favourite queen’s from Canada’s Drag Race. Since her win in 2020, she has starred in We’re Here, released iconic music videos including ‘Come Through’ featuring Lemon, was a co-host for 2021 Canandian Country Music Awards and was made honorary WWE Women’s Champion by WWE Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus. As for the other dolls? Courtney Act, became the first drag queen to sing live with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, was in the band The AAA Girls with Willam and Alaska, won Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, came second in Dancing With The Stars (2019) and even competed on the Masked Singer Australia. Icon. Rose is another musical affecinado cast in Titanique, an off-Broadway musical parody of James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster film , Glinda in the Geva Theatre Center’s all-LGBTQ+ production of The Wizard of Oz, and even a contestant on America’s Got Talent. Last but not least Kitty Scott Claus, who is a member of ‘Gals Aloud’, star of Deathdrop & Deathdrop 2 as Shazza, and Sister, and even a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef.

With all these accolades between them, is it any wonder why Christopher D. Cleg chose the queens he did? The producer behind Death Drop, Gals Aloud, and Cool Rider, The Diana Mixtape blends musical theatre, a tongue in cheek biopic and pop star diva energy. You’ll hear pop anthems from icons like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa and Kylie Minogue, see drag on a mainstream UK stage, and a retelling of Diana that is outrageously fun! Running from the 28th July-10th August 2025 at The Outernet, the show then moves to 19 to 24 August at The Lowry, Salford Manchester. The queens are fantastic, but the crew that put everything together deserve their flowers too. Christopher D. Cleg, the producer describes The Diana Mixtape as “the lovechild of SIX, & Juliet, The Crown, and Drag Race,” promising a “fierce and fabulous” celebration of Diana’s enduring cultural impact. I should say. As a personal fan of Drag Race (watched all seasons including International), and a lover of Six, I can’t wait to see how this turns out!

The creative team includes musical director and arranger Matthew Harvey, choreographer Taz Hoesli, costume designer River Smith, and lighting designer Toby P. Darvill. Dramaturgy is by Geri Allen, with video design from Adam Nightingale and Christopher D. Clegg, who also co-produces with Walport Productions under the TuckShop banner. Although we are here to talk about The Diana Mixtape, I want to take time out to highlight how incredible TuckShop is. Instrumental in bringing drag to a mainstream UK stage, it has highlighted drag legends including Monet X Change (my favourite queen alongside Bob The Drag Queen), Willam, and Drag King LoUis CYfer to name a few. As well as Gals Aloud and Diana, they released Tuckshop Live, and Tuckshop West End, celebrating drag artist excellence.

Joining the incredible cast is the one and only movie and theatre icon Keala Settle ( The Greatest Showman, Wicked Part 1 & 2) as Queen Elizabeth II, Noel Sullivan ( We Will Rock You, UK Tour) as King Charles III, and Lucinda Lawrence ( Cool Rider) as Queen Elizabeth. Ensemble performers Ashton Bradley, Henry Chatfield, Jordan Jewel, Theo Simpson and Leo Udvarlaky join the uber talented cast. So, what are you waiting for, pre-book your tickets, plan your Diana themed outfit, and join in the fun today. If the Q&A was anything to go by, you are in for a right royal treat!