Divina de Campo to Lead London Debut of Hit European Musical ‘Amanda – The Night Before Me’

After selling out stages and receiving critical acclaim in Austria and Germany, Amanda – The  Night Before Me makes its London debut this September, starring Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK’s  runner-up Divina de Campo. This profoundly moving solo musical is a universally resonant tale  of gender identity, using razor-sharp humour and an unforgettable score to celebrate inner  courage. At its heart, the show celebrates the beauty of becoming who you are meant to be.

Set moments before a life-changing surgery is due to rewrite her body and future, audience join  Amanda on a touching journey as she prepares to step fully into her authentic self. The  protagonist finds herself reliving her entire life in a powerful musical monologue as she undergoes gender-affirming surgery. This blaze of memories sees hidden dreams, forbidden love  and hard-won freedom unfold with heartbreak and unflinching honesty. From sweeping ballads  to upbeat musical numbers, Amanda’s confessions flourish through the score as the cost of  silence and joy of finally claiming your truth are explored in this breathtaking musical.

In Amanda – The Night Before Me, acclaimed drag artist Divina de Campo (Ru Paul’s Drag Race,  BBC; Chicago, UK tour; Hedwig and the Angry Itch, Leeds Playhouse) delivers a fierce musical  monologue, multi-rolling as fourteen characters taking on fourteen roles, from mothers and  lovers to friends and the inner voices that shaped her. Best known for reaching the final of the  first UK series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, de Campo is also an award-winning musical theatre  performer, winning Best Performer in a Musical at the UK Theatre Awards for their acclaimed

performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. They have released multiple albums and make the  UK Top 40 charts as part of the girl group The Frock Destroyers. Whilst starring in Amanda – The  Night Before Me, de Campo showcases their extraordinary high soprano and four-octave range.

Performer, Divina de Campo, shares, For me this is such an important piece for Rory to bring to  the UK right now. The UK has slipped down the the index of LGBT rights from the top to 22nd  and a lot of that has to do with the hostile environment towards trans people. This is a hopeful,  honest and beautiful story of self discovery and acceptance. I’m so excited to be able to tackle  this wonderful piece.

Originally written and composed in German by Belgian artist Rory Six (Wenn Rosenblätter fallen,  Kleines Theatre; Luna – Das Musical, Theatrecrouch), the production is based on his  conversations with his trans women friend, capturing the turbulence and complexity of identity.  This English version has been adapted by legendary West End and Broadway lyricist, best known  for his long-standing partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart (The Phantom of the  Opera, West End & Broadway; Aspect of Love, West End & Broadway).

Writer and composer, Rory Six, comments, Amanda is a story that dares you to live  authentically. At its heart, it’s about the courage to be true to yourself, the simple power of ‘love  is love,’ and the fundamental right of every person to exist without apology. That’s why I hope  people watch it — because in a world that constantly pressures us to conform, this show is a  reminder that your truth is worth celebrating.

Main Image: Courtesy of The Night Before Me

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