28 episodes

Opera Diva and comedian Penny Shaw reads her teenage diaries to a variety of horrified guests.

Diary of a (teenage) Diva‪!‬ divaliciouspenny

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 58 Ratings

Opera Diva and comedian Penny Shaw reads her teenage diaries to a variety of horrified guests.

    January 1986

    January 1986

    January 1986! Series three and Penny is joined by her long suffering Mother and her own teenager; 15 years and 3 months at the time of recording, exactly the same as Penny in January 1986. What could possibly go wrong?

    Recorded in noisy rural Oxfordshire, complete with passing helicopters, squeaky shoes and bonking fish. Recollections of 1986 may vary!

    • 44 min
    February 1986

    February 1986

    February! The winter weather is too cold to play lax but perfect for tobogganing, gliding and gossiping as school goes a bit 'Meangirls'. We find out how girls learnt to French Kiss in the 80s; (it’s not what you think!) and for the first time some names have been bleeped out to protect the guilty. If you know you know…
    Recorded with legendary musician Bourby Webster, on a boiling hot day in ‘Woop Woop’ with occasional noise pollution from husbands making Limoncello on the terrace.

    • 52 min
    March 1986

    March 1986

    Finally some genuine teenage angst as Penny realises her 'main character energy' is on the wane, she never gets the parts she auditions for and unrequited love rears its ugly head.
    Penny and old school pal Marie, revert to their worst teenage selves, have one too many drinks and giggle. You have been warned. 
    March 1986 is dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Martin.

    • 36 min
    January 1985

    January 1985

    The excesses of New Year’s Eve have left Penny with swollen tonsils, a swollen ankle and a life-long horror of Vermouth. Spiky hair, Bagpuss and Ouija Boards are in; microwave cakes and boys called Ian are out. Penny and this month’s guest, baritone Robert Hofmann, discuss their various encounters with European prostitutes. Brand new theme music written by Finn Pearson.

    • 47 min
    February 1985

    February 1985

    February is all about sharing...sharing private letters, other people’s boyfriends, body parts and we shudder to think how many viruses. Penny, often too unwell to go to school nevertheless indulges in various activities, sledging, trampolining, ice-skating and an unfortunate night at the bowling alley. Singing lessons are going well and Penny lands a role in the Abingdon School musical, but which part? Recorded with fellow diva Fiona Campbell on Rottnest Island after a bit too much rosé.

    • 32 min
    March 1985

    March 1985

    March is packed with competitions; music, lacrosse, even walking is about winning. The St Helen's netball team have reached the National Finals but Penny’s ankle is still dodgy after falling down the stairs drunk on New Year's Eve. Will this stand in their way of national domination? Rehearsals have begun for ‘Trial by Jury’; Penny is appalled to find that her costume shows too much decolletage and decides that she pop wants to be a pop singer NOT an opera singer! Recorded in the dressing room at His Majesty’s theatre, Perth, with fellow Cosi Fan Tutte cast members, soprano Prudence Sanders and mezzo-soprano Ashlyn Tymms.

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
58 Ratings

58 Ratings

DarenSkiles ,

Awesome content

Such a great show. I always learn something new and very useful. Thank you!

titusbogan ,

Great podcast

Informative, balanced, variety and very interesting. A great podcast.

L.Lundie ,

Gratitude

Nothing but complete gratitude for your podcasts and program, honestly.

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