Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story is an award-winning show direct for the UK that celebrates Princess Diana's not-so-true life and so much more! It features drag, multimedia, puppetry, and audience interaction.
Linus Karp and his partner Joseph Martin co-created the show and their company, Awkward Productions, in 2017. This apparently came about in part because Linus desired to play roles he would not have otherwise been selected for. Enter stage left: Princess Diana.
We chatted with London-based Swedish boy Linus Karp, an actor, director, and writer best known for his theatrical productions that comment on pop culture about himself, his partner, the show, his Diana obsession and other silly stuff!
Linus Karp as Princess Diana
Is this your first visit to Australia?
Yes! About time! We've wanted to come here for years, so thrilled it's finally happening.
You've landed right in the middle of pride celebrations and Mardi Gras; what do you think so far?
Leaving grey February London for sunny Australia is amazing — we've only just arrived but so far it's been great.
What inspired you to create the show?
A lot of love for Lady Di of course. The show actually started as a birthday present for my mother in law. She's a big Diana fan so I thought I'd write her a little story about the People's Princess. The story grew and grew and now we're here in Sydney as part of our world tour!
Linus Karp as Princess Diana and his partner Joseph Martin.
What got you started with drag and comedy?
I love having fun. I also wanted to play Princess Diana and wasn't going to let me being a Swedish man stop me.
Australians tend not to take things seriously and often joke about sensitive topics. Do you expect the show's reception to be different here?
What is important to know is that Australians not only have a great sense of humour, they're also fit. Hence I expect great things from out Aussie audiences.
We love that your show has been described as hilarious, absurd, camp, chaotic, and tasteless. Do you think these are all fair assessments?
You forgot "repellant trash" by Daily Mail... I think in the right circumstances these can all be positive things. It's very much controlled chaos and though I wouldn't necessarily call it tasteless myself, it's quite a different interpretation than say The Crown.
Backstage, Linus Karp as Princess Diana and his partner Joseph Martin.
If you were a journalist and you were doing a review for the show, what would YOUR catchy headline be?
Is this you trying to get me to do the work for you?
Na! I just thought this would be a fun question to ask!
Well then; how about Nicole Kidman and Troye Sivan joins Swedish Twink for sold-out opening night of Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before Diana show.
Great I love that!
What do you hope Australian audiences take away from this uniquely camp parody of the People's Princess?
I hope they have FUN and feel full of queer joy and an appreciation of the diconic Princess she was.
Thanks for the chat. Can we expect to see you and your partner Joseph at Mardi Gras, parting away with all of us Aussie kids?
Oh yes! Beyond excited for Mardi Gras - our friend Leland, who wrote the music for our other show Gwyneth Goes Skiing, will be DJing so we're very excited for that.
DIANA: THE UNTOLD AND UNTRUE STORY IS SHOWING AUSTRALIA-WIDE!
