Diana: The People's Princess Returns in Broadway Musical
- Jack Madden
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Thirty years ago, the Princess of Wales travelled to Sydney to open the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s newest location. Now, local theatre company Hyde Entertainment is giving Newcastle audiences a glimpse into the beloved late royal’s life in 2026 with its season of the Broadway musical Diana.
The plot follows a 19-year-old Diana Spencer as she meets Prince Charles (now King Charles III), clashes with Camilla Parker Bowles, struggles to meet Queen Elizabeth II’s expectations, and comes into her own as a style icon – one revenge dress at a time.
Diana the musical infamously premiered during the pandemic by way of a professional taping of the stage production ahead of its delayed opening and was met with backlash for its trite and tenuous homage to the People’s Princess; however, Hyde Artistic Director and Diana co-director Seb Smee is not deterred, embracing the piece’s legacy.
“We have been overwhelmed with interest and excitement around this production since the day we announced it,” says Smee.
“We cannot wait to bring Australian audiences a fresh, reimagined version of this breathtaking new musical.”
Smee also stresses the importance of not boiling down the real-life people portrayed in the musical to preconceived public perceptions of their morality.
“This isn’t a story of heroes and villains. We aren’t here to say that the royal family are horrible people, or to say that Diana was even the perfect woman; we are just here to tell her story truthfully and respectfully.”
Hyde garnered eight nominations for City of Newcastle Drama Association awards, including Best Musical Production and Best Ensemble, for its 2025 productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Calvin Berger, and Diana is shaping up to be yet another feather in the company’s cap.
“[Diana] is a musical that, of course, has a devastating ending and many difficult moments throughout, but it also finds a way to make you laugh and, ultimately, feel inspired”, says Smee. “The script is absolutely perfect, and the music is utterly breathtaking.”
Diana is set to play at the Civic Theatre, Playhouse from 1 to 8 March 2026. Tickets are limited and selling fast—book now on the Civic Theatre Newcastle website: www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.
