Since it opened in 2019 we’ve become big fans of the Turbine Theatre and their commitment to programming new queer works. High-camp musical Diva: Live From Hell! – book and characters by Nora Brigid Monahan, music and lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen – is making its UK debut at the small theatre space under the railway arches in Battersea, and stars the excellent Luke Bayer, who we caught last year in the Hope Mill Theatre’s production of Rent.
In this loose retelling of All About Eve, Bayer plays the role of Desmond Channing – based on Bette Davis’ iconic Margot Channing. The story sees Desmond singing at the Seventh Circle, which is Hell’s cabaret club, as he recounts the events leading up to his death. Over the course of 75 minutes we witness Desmond’s dramatic fall from grace; starting from the point he is elected president of his high school’s drama society and cast as the lead in the fall musical, we witness the dramatic turns of events that lead to him being labelled a ‘diva’ – and what happens next.
The premise itself is pretty straightforward – it’s entertaining enough, with a handful of decent songs and some amusing musical theatre references, but it’s not going to challenge its audience or push any boundaries. What really makes the night work is Bayer’s performance – this is a one-man show, and the way he single-handedly populates the stage with an entire class full of feuding drama students is a sight to behold.
His characterisation is superb, and he’s afforded ample opportunity to showcase his vocal prowess and dancing skills. For the performance we saw, there was an issue with his head mic which Bayer handled with ease, staying in character while building an effortless rapport with the audience, while we waited a couple of minutes for the tech issue to be resolved.
We had a fun evening with Diva: Live From Hell! Aside from being a bit darker than we’d initially anticipated, it’s a bit on the predictable side, and only a handful of the songs really impress, but Luke Bayer’s superb performance comfortably makes up for these minor shortcomings. Certainly a perfectly entertaining way to pass an evening – it’s a devilish delight.
GAY TIMES gives Diva: Live From Hell! – 4/5
More information can be found here.
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