‘Diana’ is coming

A THEATRE star who will play Diana, Princess of Wales in a major new musical, is coming to Derbyshire.

Jeanna de Waal, the Broadway star of Kinky Boots and American Idiot, has been cast as Diana in the new musical which opens in San Francisco in February.

Following that she will be performing a concert at Belper Arts Festival 2019.

“It’s a real coup. Jeanna is a genuine Broadway star,” said Festival co-ordinator George Gunby.

“It will be an incredible way to start the Belper Arts Festival.”

Fliss Goldsmith, who is the co-producer of the show, said “Jeanna is excited about coming to Belper. We’ve already talked about the set and the audience can expect a wide variety of songs.

“We are hoping that the show will feature something from the Diana musical. “Jeanna is a terrific talent. We were at LIPA together and I’ve seen some amazing performances by her.”

Raised in Surrey, Jeanna moved to New York in 2009, where she still lives. Roles on and off Broadway followed, the latest of which is Diana.

“To bring Diana to life on stage is obviously a huge privilege,” Jeanna said. “I feel very daunted by the prospect but I hope people who didn’t know about her and weren’t aware of her journey leave the theater with an idea of what she did for the world. She made everyone feel special, from the highest person to the lowest-ranking person.“

She’ll be supported by Belper Musical Theatre and their musical director Dave Adey at the concert on May 4 at St. Peter’s Church in Chesterfield Road.

■■ Earlybird tickets are £15 and are now on sale from Oxfam Books in King Street or online at belperartsfestival.org.