By Grace Hatchell
Grace Hatchell is writing this one from the edge of a theatre dressing-room mirror, surrounded by enough lightbulbs to make a postie feel like she’s accidentally wandered into the final of a very glamorous talent show. Satchel down, mascara emotionally prepared — because this one sounds like it’s coming with glitter, grit, and a lump in the throat.
Divina de Campo stars in the 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 is heading to London this autumn, starring RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up Divina de Campo.
The profoundly moving solo musical will run at The Bridge House Theatre from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 10 October 2026, with press night on Friday 25 September.
At the heart of Amanda – The Night Before Me is a story of gender identity, courage, self-discovery and becoming the person you were always meant to be. Set in the moments before life-changing gender-affirming surgery, the musical follows Amanda as she looks back across her life in a powerful, emotional and often sharply funny musical monologue.
And honestly, love, Grace has delivered parcels with less emotional weight than that.
As Amanda prepares to step fully into her authentic self, memories begin to unfold — hidden dreams, forbidden love, heartbreak, silence, freedom, and the joy of finally claiming the truth that has always been waiting. With sweeping ballads, upbeat numbers and confessions that bloom through the score, the show explores both the cost of hiding and the beauty of being seen.
Divina de Campo takes on the role of Amanda in what promises to be a fierce and deeply human performance. Known to many for reaching the final of the first UK series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Divina is also an award-winning musical theatre performer, having won Best Performer in a Musical at the UK Theatre Awards for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Their stage credits also include Chicago and Hedwig and the Angry Itch, with music work including releases with The Frock Destroyers.
In Amanda – The Night Before Me, Divina will multi-role as fourteen characters, from mothers and lovers to friends and the inner voices that helped shape Amanda’s life. Add in that extraordinary high soprano and four-octave range, and Grace is already clutching the satchel strap for emotional support.
Speaking about the production, Divina de Campo said:
“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.”
The musical was originally written and composed in German by Belgian artist Rory Six, whose work includes Wenn Rosenblätter fallen and Luna – Das Musical. The story was inspired by conversations with his trans woman friend, capturing the turbulence, complexity and courage bound up in identity and self-acceptance.
For this English-language version, Amanda – The Night Before Me has been adapted by Charles Hart, the legendary West End and Broadway lyricist best known for his long-standing partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber, including The Phantom of the Opera.
Writer and composer Rory Six said:
“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.”
Directed by Rory Six and Jerôme Knols, with staging by Jerôme Knols, orchestrations by Perrin Manzer Allen, set design by Timo Verse and lighting design by Stephanie Affleck, Amanda – The Night Before Me looks set to bring something intimate, bold and beautifully necessary to the London stage.
Grace’s verdict from the village noticeboard? This sounds like one of those shows that arrives carrying sequins in one hand and truth in the other. A musical about identity, survival and finally standing in your own light — and if that doesn’t deserve a stamp of approval, I don’t know what does.
Amanda – The Night Before Me runs from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 10 October 2026 at The Bridge House Theatre, Bridge House, 2 High Street, London SE20 8RZ.
Press night is Friday 25 September 2026.
Tickets are priced from £33 to £37.
The closest station is Penge West on the Southern Railway and Windrush Line.
Running time is 1 hour 40 minutes including interval.
Cast and creatives include Divina de Campo as Amanda, Rory Six as musical writer and co-director, Charles Hart for the English version, Jerôme Knols as co-director and staging, Perrin Manzer Allen on orchestrations, Timo Verse as set designer and Stephanie Affleck on lighting design.
Social media:
@divinadecampo
@amanda_musical
@bridgehousetheatre
Website:
www.amanda-musical.com
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