URGENT PRESS RELEASE – 08/10/2009
SOUTH PARK COPIES DIANA THE MUSICAL IN NEW EPISODE
In their latest episode South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker savagely rip off Diana the Musical using a plane and dead celebrities to mock the death of Michael Jackson. This comes after Diana the Musical creator Rupert Dannreuther issued a press call for Diana the Musical 2 featuring Michael Jackson months earlier. The creator is said to be furious as the show is coming in December which may now be tainted by South Park’s flagrant plagiarism.
Rupert Dannreuther, 23, says “I love South Park, I just wish they would have accredited the source rather than ripping off an idea we had over 2 years ago”
view the London Lite article which caused the furore here
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29/07/2009 – STOP PRESS
DIANA THE MUSICAL IS BACK FOR 2009
NEW TITLE IS DIANA THE MUSICAL 2: RETURN OF THE KING (FEATURING MICHAEL JACKSON)
FEATURING MICHAEL JACKSON & A WHOLE HOST OF NEW DEAD CELEBRITIES BURSTING INTO SONG, DANCE AND PRANCE JUST FOR YOU
Diana the Musical returns for Autumn 2009 with an all new explosive cast and story. The show is taking place in a secret location and a limited number (due to the sensitive nature of this production) of tickets will be made available to the public on this website and on the Diana the Musical Facebook Page so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Contact Us:
press(a)dianathemusical.com for more information, corporate and press enquiries
tickets(a)dianathemusical.com for ticket information
creative(a)dianathemusical.com if you wish to find out more about becoming part of the creative team, cast or marketing team.
(please replace the (a) with an @)
scroll down for comments about the 2008 show and the premise of the show…
THE SHOW IN BRIGHTON WENT REALLY WELL! THANKS TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED and the LOVELY AUDIENCES
So far DIANA THE MUSICAL has been featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE TIMES, THE STAGE, BBC NEWS, EL MUNDO (spain) and many more.
The New York Times 12/04/08
“A university student’s satirical musical about Diana, Princess of Wales, below, has been banned from opening to the public over fears of causing offense,”
The Times 29/04/08
“we hear grumblings coming out of Brighton at news that the University of Brighton is to stage Diana – the Musical. Margaret Funnell, of Brighton’s Diana Circle – yes, it appears to exist – considers the forthcoming production “distasteful and disgusting”. This is probably because she’s heard that it features a skeleton princess who wears a tiara and hangs out in Mexico with other dead celebrities.”
The Stage 14/04/08
“Diana The Musical. It was never going to be popular with the chattering classes… No need to worry though, it’s not coming to the West End any time soon, but is premiering at Brighton University, where one of the students came up with the idea – surprise, surprise.this offering – which features Diana living in Mexico with other dead celebrities – sounds to Tabard like a real case of car-crash theatre.”
Articles by BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk/southeasttoday) and The Argus (http://www.theargus.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2186357.mostviewed.princess_diana_crash_musical_is_criticised.php) in Brighton suggest Diana the Musical tasteless, despite having not seen it.
“DISGUSTING!” Leading member of the Diana Circle, a group in Brighton set up to preserve the memory of Diana (from the Argus article)
What Rupert Dannreuther actually said to the Argus about the show which was printed in the article on 10/04/08:
Mr Dannreuther, 21, who wrote and will direct the 30-minute performance, argues the musical, which sees Diana living in Mexico with other dead celebrities, is not criticising the princess.
He said: “It’s about the spectacle of show business more than anything.”
About the Show
Diana the Musical is a cabaret show, based around the cult of celebrity and the spectacular world of the 21st Century!
Calacahito Airlines invites you to DIANA THE MUSICAL!, the hottest new anti-theatre event coming in early 2008. Using the audience as active participants in the show, DIANA THE MUSICAL! seeks through a comedy cabaret to challenge celebrity, high art and indulge in fantasy.
Inspired by the media spectacle, the fairy tale story of Diana and the complete ridiculousness of the actual “Princess Diana: the Musical”, a saccharine sweet look at the life of Diana which has already been performed in Germany.
I am disappointed by the College’s craven action in banning your musical. Please find some other venue and I will attend, I am sick of the Diana obsessives trying to make her out to be a saint; she was a flawed human being who courted the media when it suited her and as such should be as open to criticism and parody as any other celebrity who behaves similarly.
This is a sad day indeed, when freedom of expression is overruled because of some perceived correctness in not offending someone.
Please find another venue and let the public see this work!
I do not agree with banning the show from public performance, freedom of expression should not be banned even if it does upset certain people, and all it will do it make people want to see it more.
“Ridiculous! Disgusting! Intrusive!” Enough about the public autopsy of her last moments performed through the Courts recently, this musical sounds pretty good. Get another venue, get me a ticket and lets get the show on the road.
Good luck to you and your musical! I haven’t seen it but I love the buzz it’s generating.
I’m shocked that it’s been banned though – WTF? Where would we be without satire?
Actually, I think Brighton Diana Circle – The Musical! might be an interesting sequel. There’s a DIANA CIRCLE? Laughing. Arse. Off.
Another example of this supposed “PC” country gone mad. Freedom of expression is still not free to everybody. There is an arguement for certain censorship but why can’t I come and see “Diana The Musical” yet I can turn on the 6 o’clock news and see mutilated bodies in Zimbabwe?
I’m glad it’s not being shown. It may not intend to be offensive, but Diana died only 10 years ago and people still mourn her. Show some respect for those who would like her name treated with dignity. Shame on you for writing it in the first place.
Please find some other way of showing this musical to the public. I would gladly make the pilgrimage down from London to attend, as I too am thoroughly sick of this woman being paraded as some kind of modern day martyr.
hilarious!
Well done R. Dannreuther! I presume your course was something like media studies – well, you should definitely get a 1st. Class Hons., or summa cum laude or whatever, because you have learnt and proved more about the media than your teachers could have dreamt!
You have joined the august company of Geert Wilders and Salman Rushdie.
Please make a shortened performance of this musical and put it onto YouTube.
The more you get banned everywhere, the higher profile you – and your creation – will become.
Thank you to the people whom are supporting the show! I’m playing a character in Diana The Musical, and to all of those whom have posted negative comments about Rupert – You don’t know what you are talking about. It is clear to me through the lack of detail that the media has no idea what this show is really about, or how clever, intelligent and funny it is. Satire is a celebrated form of writing, and very hard to do well. Rupert loves Diana, and personally I feel that the public ‘personally offended’ by this ’scandal’ should be glad that someone with an affection for the Princess is the first to break through the controversy and write a play about her relationship with the media. Rupert is not planning to march into Poland, give him a break.
I wish I’D had the dedication and guts to think of it!!
Good luck to all concerned… the cult of celebrity hacks me off. As it probably did Diana herself at times.
HMC
Please could you forward a press release in relation to your production.
I suppose if none of us have seen it we aren’t in a position to comment, BUT the scene-setting picture of a skeletal Diana in a tiara would be enough to put me off.
Either it’s the craven insensitivity of a 20 year-old to use such an image, or blatant shock tactics to obtain maximum publicity for what is probably a load of old crap.
I suspect the latter.
You say you mean no offence to Diana and your poster shows a skeleton with a tiara? Do you know what the word “offence” means? You are sick to make fun of an event that took the lives of 3 people. What is the world coming to?
Rupert you are a true genius, anyone wanting to see this musical should head to EUROTRASH AT THE CANDY BAR BRIGHTON AT 9PM ON SUNDAY APRIL13TH TO SEE EXTRACTS!
Also all publicity is good publicity!
anyone wanting to invest in my musical Madeleine:where art thou?
let me know.
p.s i wish the world would have a sense of humour again in these dark times. the world needs laughter!
Can’t wait to see it. MADELEINE THE MUSICAL next perhaps?
What was so lovely about the actual performance was that (A) it was a complete surprise from start to finish (B) it kept you thinking afterwards (instead of feeling ripped off like so many theatrical events do) and (C) it made a great point. I felt like I was on one of those rides at Alton Towers and just had to let it all happen before me.
Good on ya all. I have paid £35 for seats at West End shows and been really disappointed. This was great – and even more so considering how there was only a half-hour to use + limited access to props/effects/talent…. I loved the way we as an audience were drawn in and participating from the start…
Do well… if this is your exam piece, break a leg…
TT xx