Diva: Live from Hell! is devilishly good. There, I said it. And Luke Bayer is devilishly good as Desmond Channing in this perfectly crafted one-man (plus band) musical. It shouldn’t be a surprise, after all, it’s already received glowing reviews for its London runs at the Turbine Theatre in 2022 and at King’s Head Theatre earlier this year.
Coming to us live from the Seventh Circle, Desmond is recounting how he has ended up in this place, going from president of the school’s drama club as they prepare to begin rehearsals for their annual musical, to hell’s resident diva.
His downfall begins on meeting the cool new kid Evan Harris who Desmond seeks to take under his wing before finding out that Evan needs little help in forging his own path at school. It’s viciously comic with unexpected shades of darkness as the story plays out.
Bayer gamely multi-roles, knowingly hitting every possible US High School film stereotype that Nora Brigid Monahan has included in its book – from the pally school teacher to the geekish friend who lives in his shadow to the popular love interest who finds Evan a more interesting prospect than Desmond.
The show, directed by Joe McNeice, is elevated by Bayer’s off-the-cuff roasts. An attempt to take a sly photograph by one audience member incurs his wrath early on with Bayer warning them that he isn’t scared ‘ to go Patti Lapone on [them].’ Not even the band is spared with the show’s drummer coming under his suspicions when an important prop goes AWOL.
But, of course, none of this would matter if the songs weren’t good – and they are, with Alexander Sage Oyen’s irresistible compositions finding a sweet spot between Broadway-inspired and pastiche. Bayer’s the star though – our diva – and his bravura makes this fringe hit a must-see.
Rating: ★★★★★ (Must see)
Diva: Live from Hell is at Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh until 25 August
