First Look: Divina De Campo joins Ride the Cyclone as record-breaking musical returns to London

02-07-26

One of the UK’s most celebrated drag performers is joining the cast of one of musical theatre’s fastest-growing cult hits.

Following its record-breaking, sold-out UK premiere in 2025, Ride the Cyclone returns to Southwark Playhouse Elephant this month, with Divina De Campo taking on the role of The Amazing Karnak.

The musical, which runs to 22 August, became the venue’s fastest-selling production when it premiered last year, before breaking its own box office record when tickets for this return season went on sale earlier this year.

Best known as runner-up on the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Divina De Campo has established herself as one of Britain’s leading drag performers. Alongside a UK Top 40 hit with The Frock Destroyers, her theatre credits include Chicago, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The SpongeBob Musical.

Joining the production, Divina said: “I am so excited to be joining this amazing vibrant cast for what is a hilarious and tongue in cheek musical. The songs are catchy as they come and the story is both tragic and side splitting.”

She joins the previously announced company of Josh Butler, Grace Galloway, Robyn Gilbertson, Bartek Kraszewski, Jack Maverick and Kayna Montecillo, with Rebecca D’Lacey and Nathaniel Purnell serving as swings.

Written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, Ride the Cyclone follows six teenagers who find themselves trapped in limbo following a tragic rollercoaster accident. Given one final chance to return to life, each must make their case in a darkly comic, unexpectedly moving musical that has built a devoted following around the world.

Running for just 90 minutes without an interval, the show blends comedy, fantasy and heartfelt storytelling with an eclectic score that has helped it become a word-of-mouth sensation since its original Canadian premiere in 2008.

Directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee, the production also features designs by Ryan Dawson Laight, video by Nina Dunn for PixelLux and musical supervision by Ben McQuigg.

Due to exceptional demand, additional tickets have now been released for the production’s return season.

Ride the Cyclone runs at Southwark Playhouse Elephant e until 22 August 2026.  Visit the official site HERE