Ahead of the sixth and final season of Netflix’s popular series “The Crown” airing this fall, Abington will get a glimpse into the life of one of the most famous members of the British Royal Family, thanks to the committees of the Abington Rotary Club, Abington Celebrates and the Abington Lions Club.
The three venerable Abington non-profits will present “Diana of LOVE” as a joint fundraiser on Saturday evening, October 7, at Abington High School. The show, which starts at 6:30 p.m., stars Judith Kalora, of History at Play, as the star-crossed princess.
Over the years, the Abington Rotary Club has hosted three other “History at Play” events, including shows highlighting Deborah Sampson, Christa McAuliffe, and Hedy Lemarr. However, with a recent decline in membership, the service organization found difficulty coordinating similar events on its own. So they reached out.
“We thought working together with other organizations in town would increase exposure not only to the event but also the organizations themselves,” said Rotary Club member Lou Paragona. “Strength in numbers!”
Abington Celebrates Chairwoman Michele Coyle said it was a “no-brainer” to work with the Rotary Club on the program.
“Our main focus always is to bring the community together to celebrate, and now we have a chance to learn more about history in a unique fun way as well. We are all very excited about this opportunity.”
Founded by Kalora, who serves as Artistic Director, History At Play’s mission is to bring history to life, chronicling the lives of the influential and often forgotten figures, as well as educating and entertaining audiences worldwide with Immersive living history experiences.
“Each of the programs were very professional and very informative,” Paragona said about past productions hosted by the Rotary Club.
“Diana of LOVE”, which honors Lady Diana Spencer, the former Princess of Wales, on the 25th anniversary of her passing, debuted in 2022. This program delivers an impassioned recounting of “The People’s Princess” and her silent, yet stigmatized struggle with mental health, according to History at Play. The show’s music is by Zoe Knight, with original art by Joanne Ciampa.
Tickets are $25 each available via Eventbrite. Tickets can also be purchased at Abington Town Hall, or from any member of the sponsoring organizations.
Proceeds raised from this event will support Abington Rotary, Abington Celebrates, and Abington Lions various community needs and programs. To learn more about Judith Kalora and History at Play visit: http://www.historyatplay.com.