DIVINADe Campo

Divina De Campo rose to fame as runner up in the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Since then, Divina’s star as only risen playing roles such as Mary Sunshine in Chicago, and giving an award winning performance as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse. Now taking on the role of evil genius Plankton in The SpongeBob Musical, we caught up with Divina about life under the sea!

Lets play a little game of would you rather

• Hands or Feet? FEET

• Night In or Night Out? OUT

• Spray Tan or Real Tan? NEITHER, PALE AND INTERESTING

• Cook or Takeaway? TAKEAWAY

• Deserted Island or Party Island? DESERTED

• Chocolate or Crisps? CHOCOLATE

• Fav Band or Singer? KATE BUSH

• Celebrity Crush? TOM READ WILSON (don’t tell him)

• Fav Holiday destination? GRAN CANARIA

• 1 thing you can’t live without? LOVE

Super, now that we know a little more about you let’s dive into some questions.

Before we talk about the show we need to backtrack ‘All Together Now’, we loved the show and you on it, think it was 2019 when it was last on, any chance or word of it ever coming back? Obvs over covid it would have been an impossible thing to film though I’d say people would love to see it back.

We filmed September 2018 and it aired while I was filming Dragrace which was kinda weird lol. No word as I know on it making a come back but I loved working on the show and lots of us still stay in contact.

I read you do work with a charity, George House Trust, can you tell us more about it and the work they do?

GHT support a people living with HIV in the Manchester area. There’s still lots of stigma surrounding HIV despite it being a manageable virus and if you’re undetectable you’re also untransmissable so get tested lovers!

SpongeBob is by no means your first show/musical though I imagine it is a completely different experience from other projects? It’s totally different for me Plankton is a masculine character and for twenty years I’ve been playing either drag queens or feminine characters, so this is a big departure for me.

What is it about The SpongeBob Musical that appealed to you about doing the show? Were you a fan of the cartoon?

The entire show is just so joyful and fun! SpongeBob as a character is full of positivity and irrepressible determination. Plankton is an absolute treat as well! A massive departure for me from playing more feminine characters and into a maniacal genius. It’s a joy to embody that, and just let rip! SpongeBob was a massive staple in our house as soon as we got more than 4 channels, back in the day. We had it on regularly and I’ve always loved its sense of fun and cheekiness. It’s one of those cartoons that works on lots of levels, making it fun for everyone.

Are you able to tell us a little bit about the show, your character, and perhaps your costume too?

The premise is a volcano is threatening Bikini Bottom where we all live. SpongeBob and pals want to save the town but (my character) Plankton wants to trap everyone in an escape pod and hypnotise them into loving his Chum burgers! Sheldon Plankton is a massive show off with a bit too much faith in his own abilities. His costume been made in a sort of glam rock style like Kiss which really helps big shoulders big boots and a big ego!

You are known for singing and your range, do you get to show off in this show or do you have to pull it back to suit the character?

I always approach every part from what is it the character needs rather than what do I want. Plankton doesn’t sing so much as rap so I’ve had to learn a new skill to do this!

How do you find performing as Divina, versus performing as a character?

They’re such different things, Divina is a real party (well, mostly!) but for characters I try as much as possible to work with what’s in the script. I love the process of digging into them and working out what drives them and their story.

The show was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards on Broadway, what do you think are the elements of it that make it so special?

There are so many! First off like any great musical the music is brilliant. There’s so many big song writers attached to the show. The book is smart and funny and like the cartoon it works on lots of different levels so there’s something in it for everyone.

The SpongeBob Musical has songs written by a whole host of incredible artists including Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Panic! At The Disco and The Flaming Lips. Is there a particular song that you enjoy singing, or any style of music that is a fun new challenge for you?

I get to sing When The Going Gets Tough. Which I love. It’s another departure for me as it’s more of a rap with a tune with this mind-bendingly fast speed-rap in the middle of it. That’s been a big challenge and loads of fun as well. My other favourite (I get to just listen to it) is I Guess I Miss You which is just a beautiful song about friendship.

You’ve toured the UK previously, notably in Chicago, do you enjoy visiting the different cities? Do you have any specific connections to any venues?

I love touring, getting to see other towns and cities and explore them a bit is always lots of fun. It’s especially nice to revisit places to spent time in on previous tours.

Have you been to Belfast before? Any plans aside from work while you are over?

I was in Belfast just before the first time we all had to stay indoors. Literally the 3 days before. So I’m looking forwards to being back and getting to properly explore.

Pride month is round the corner, any plans or gigs you’d like to plug?

SpongeBob! I’m taking a bit of a step back from everything else so I can work on myself if I’m honest. So, catch me in SpongeBob or I’ll see you next year.

Have you ever received any advice throughout your life or career that has really stuck with you?

A fellow drag queen (Son Of A Tutu) said to me, “It’s not enough to beat an audience round the head with your talent, you have to make them love you” That’s something I’ve taken with me everywhere. I have to love them before they can love me and that’s what I try to give from the word go. It’s such a privilege to work on the stage and I feel like it’s my job to create a space we can all share. When it works it’s incredible.

Final note - why should people come to see you and the cast of SpongeBob in the Grand Opera House?

It’s a joyful positive show full of the most amazing music and a glorious cast headed up by the sensation that is Lewis Cornay. It’s a tonic for the times we live in and fun for all the family.