Dublin Fringe Festival 2025: Don't Tell Dad About Diana

Conor Murray and Hannah Power in Don't Tell Dad About Diana. Image, Erica Verling

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1997. Teenagers Hannah and Conor are BFFs even though the term hasn’t been invented yet. Now that they're Leaving Cert results are in they're going to follow their dream and head to London. Hannah to be a fashion designer living in an exclusive pad in Chelsea, Conor the undisputed Queen of drag. Beginning with Conor taking the crown of Alternative Miss Ireland from reigning champion Shirley Temple Bar. A mere formality. Guided by their cult-like devotion to the people’s princess, Princess Diana, they’ve devised a routine built around Hannah’s reconstruction of her two most significant dresses. But there’s a couple of hiccups. First, there’s the material they need to shoplift from Guineys. Second, the fact that Conor's Dad doesn't know he’s gay and likes to wear women's clothes. Then there's the secret Conor’s been hiding from Hannah which might shatter their friendship. And a moment in history that will forever change their world. In Don't Tell Dad About Diana a childhood friendship built from magazine covers, wishful dreams, glittering tinsel and having each other’s back faces the grown-up world of real life choices. Poignant, hilarious, deeply heartfelt, Don't Tell Dad About Diana delivers captivating comedy, being a complete and utter joy.

Cleverly directed by Emma Finnegan, Don't Tell Dad About Diana visibly captures the DIY desperation of its two glorious characters. Their world, hopes and costumes tacked together from bits and pieces of untidy glitz. Hannah and Conor’s roughshod DIY efforts reflected in Gabe Gilmour’s wardrobe centred set, Ferdy Emmet clever lighting and Theo Foley’s Bocelli level sounds. Writers and performers Hannah Power and Conor Murray bristling with chemistry in which sparkling dialogue, often smartly constructed, is vividly brought to life. Historical details, recreating the spirit and place of the time, are married to hilarious scenes whose over the top shenanigans evoke the bad luck mayhem of Brassic. All glorious good fun, even when the truth comes out. It’s two irresistible performances of two infinitely lovable characters sure to steal your heart.

Having enjoyed success in Edinburgh, Don't Tell Dad About Diana delivers on the hype. It might be a little rough around its theatrical and narrative edges, the convenient Dad denouement being a case in point, but it's still one of the most entertaining shows of the festival. Seriously enjoyable and seriously good fun, it’s time to say hello to Conor and Hannah. Two young artists with an embarrassment of talent whose show on the cheap delivers ten times its value. Two exciting new artists you’re sure to be hearing more of.

Don’t Tell Dad About Diana by Hannah Power & Conor Murray runs as part of Dublin Fringe Festival 2025 at Bewley’s Café Theatre until September 13.

For more information visit Dublin Fringe Festival 2025.