Was raised to strike a pose
Perhaps she should fight
The only way she knows..."
Diana is a musical based around the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. It was created by David Bryan of Bon Jovi and playwright Joe Di Pietro, known for their collaboration Memphis. Previews for the show began in February 2019, preceding a Broadway opening in November 2021. Though the show closed after a month, it is accessible via a Filmed Stage Production on Netflix.
The show opens in 1980, where a young Lady Diana Spencer is introduced to Prince Charles at a party. She is considered an appropriate bride for the young prince, despite her sister's prior relationship with him and Charles' devotion to his own mistress, Camila Parker-Bowles. The two marry and Diana becomes exceedingly popular. However, her marriage to Charles and relationship with the rest of The British Royal Family deteriorates, and the rest is history.
Tropes:
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: In the final song, "If (Light Of The World)", Charles and the ensemble turn directly to the audience to tell them that change can come from unexpected people.
- Classical Music Is Boring: "This is How Your People Dance". While at a stuffy cello performance with Charles, Diana imagines it as a rock-and-roll concert, using the genre's perceived authenticity to show her more modern sensibilities.Diana: Then there's Charles, who's happy when
He hears music by dead white men
Perhaps this girl could turn him into a rocker! - Dark Reprise: "Pretty, Pretty Girl" is initially sung as an upbeat Diana resolves to use her popularity to stand her ground against the royal family. The reprise is shorter and moodier, and features a fed-up Diana choosing to get revenge against Charles.
- Death Song: The last song, "If (Light Of The World)", follows Diana in the immediate aftermath of the car crash that killed her. She contemplates her life, accomplishments, and potential impact on the world before passing.
- Foregone Conclusion: You already know how this will end- Diana will die in a car accident.
- Good Adultery, Bad Adultery: Diana and Charles are mutually unfaithful in their marriage, but Diana's infidelity is portrayed as the result of years of mistreatment by Charles, who began cheating on her with his longtime mistress very early in their marriage.
- High-Heel Power: When discussing Diana's "revenge outfit" being "a bitch on wheels with six inch heels" is considered a look that would certainly scandalize the royal family.
- Mononymous Biopic Title: A work about Diana, Princess of Wales (nee Lady Diana Spencer) titled Diana.
- Paparazzi: Charles and Diana are frequently hounded by paparazzi. "Snap (Click)" is about the tabloid paps, who sing about how they're a public service even if they rudely and greedily violate privacy.
- Passive-Aggressive Kombat: Diana and Camilla's friends are delighted to watch the two women throw polite barbs at each other about their messy situation (Diana knows Charles is cheating on her with Camilla) at dinner. It's even compared to the famously brutal boxing match, "Thrilla in Manila".
- Politically-Active Princess: Diana's prominent acts of charity are portrayed with pushback from her in-laws the royal family. Prince Charles views it as 'common' and antithetical to their purpose to serve as symbols. Nevertheless, she resolves to use her influence to do good; the show includes the famous incident of Diana bringing photographers to her visit to an AIDS clinic in order to humanize them.
- Soft Glass: Diana punches a window with her hand as a symbol of her depression in "Happiness/Simply Breathe".
- Universally Beloved Leader: Diana is portrayed as universally adored by the British people after she's presented as their new princess. In "The World Fell in Love" the entire country of Wales is instantly charmed by her, and Charles is envious of how much more beloved she is than him.
