Last updated: 13/05/08
Public ban for Diana musical

A satirical musical about Princess Diana was banned from opening to the public last month due to fear of causing offence.

The University of Brighton ruled that Rupert Dannreuther’s controversial musical, which was created for his degree course, should be shown to select guests only at a university owned theatre-bar.

Publicity for Diana The Musical shows a line drawing of a skeletal princess wearing a tiara.

Dannreuther said, “It’s about the spectacle of show business more than anything.”

“I kind of hoped it would provoke some discussion as it is trying to make a point about the spectacle of celebrities. It is not criticising her as a person. It is criticising her being made into a fairy tale.”

The Theatre and Visual Art student added, “I do not wish to be unfair to Diana’s memory, merely to make a piece of theatre.”

In a statement, the university said: “We fully support freedom of expression but we also recognise sensitivities regarding possible offence.”

Margaret Funnell, from Brighton’s Diana Circle, said: “I think this is a distasteful, disgusting thing really, and to joke about the accident happening in the tunnel - I don’t know what the world’s coming to.”

On the website for his musical Dannreuther has received many messages of support for his performance with members of the public urging him to look for another venue and post a video of the production on the internet.