Princess Essex
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Discover the world of Edwardian seaside beauty pageants in a ‘saucy and subversive tale of pride, prejudice and petticoat power’ ★★★★ (The Times) as Princess Essex, a new play by Anne Odeke, bursts into our iconic open-air theatre.
It’s Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1908. Princess Dinubolu of Senegal enters a beauty contest at the iconic Kursaal, Europe’s biggest entertainment complex. Meet: Princess Essex.
A fast-paced, music-filled, empowering comedy based on the incredible true story of the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant in the UK. Writer and performer Anne Odeke (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Globe) makes her Globe playwriting debut, celebrating unapologetic authenticity, audacity, and challenging the stereotypes that we still cling to.
Robin Belfield (Twelfth Night, RSC) makes his debut at The Globe directing ‘an impressive ensemble cast’ (WhatsOnStage) in this inspiring story of bravery, beauty and belonging.
‘Shall I tell you a secret? Anyone can be a Queen, but a real Queen wears the crown, she doesn’t let the crown wear her’
Content guidance: This play contains themes of racism, colonialism and misogyny, and includes racist and ableist language, sexual assault, sexual references, strong language and stage violence. Please contact the Ticketing team on 020 7401 9919 or [email protected] if you would like further details on the play’s content.
The Essex Princess, a monologue, was commissioned for Misfits by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and first performed on 12 November 2020. This evolved into a first version of Princess Essex, a one-person play that toured with the support of Arts Council England, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Matthew Schmolle, The Mercury Theatre Colchester, Creative Estuary and the South Essex African & Caribbean Association (SEACA) from February 2022.
DETAILS
TICKETS
Previews (Seated) £49 – 15
All other performances (Seated) £75 – £25
Standing £10, £5
Hundreds of £5 tickets for every performance, hundreds more at £10. Book early for the best prices.
This event is on-site in the Globe Theatre
Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes (including an interval)
Join the conversation #PrincessEssexGlobe
Terms and conditions
A £2.50 transaction fee per order applies online and over the telephone.
Part of Summer 2024
Photography: The Other Richard
Art Direction: Kim Garrity
Find out how to get here, where to stay and read our FAQs.
Find assisted performances for this event and explore our provisions for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people below.
£5 RUSH
Looking for that last-minute way to experience London’s iconic wooden ‘O’ this summer?
Every Friday at 11.00am, our £5 Rush gives you the chance to access our legendary £5 Groundling tickets for performances in the following week, even for sold-out shows!
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Reviews (2024)
★★★★
‘Joyous… saucy and subversive’
THE TIMES
★★★★
‘A generation-defining piece of theatre’
LONDON THEATRE REVIEWS
★★★★★
‘Raw and real’
SOUTHEND THEATRE SCENE
★★★★★
‘Brilliant… lively’
AFRIDIZIAK
★★★★★
‘A glorious success’
ALL THAT DAZZLES
★★★★
‘Witty banter… biting satire’
THEATRE & TONIC
★★★★
‘Fantastic… another fresh hit’
BROADWAY WORLD
‘Sparkling comic acting’
THE GUARDIAN
‘A jolly holiday of a night out’
TIME OUT
‘Heartfelt… powerful’
THE STAGE
‘Fresh and necessary’
THEATRE WEEKLY
‘A real delight… enchanting’
WHATSONSTAGE
‘Powerful and poignant’
LONDON UNATTACHED
Photos & Videos
THE COMPANY
Eve, Ensemble
Janai Bartlett
Eve, Ensemble
Kyla Semper
Banjo, Guitar
Ashley Blasse
Bass Trombone, Tuba
Yusuf Narcin
Percussion
Louise Duggan
Saxophone, Clarinet
Melanie Henry
Casting Director
Becky Paris CDG
Composer
Simon Slater
Costume Supervisor
Isobel Pellow
Designer
Hayley Grindle
Director
Robin Belfield
Dramaturg
Sarah Dickenson
Fight Director
Bethan Clark
Head of Voice
Tess Dignan
Movement & Intimacy Director
Ingrid Mackinnon
Resident Assistant Director
Priya Patel Appleby
Writer
Anne Odeke
Voice Coach
Ellen Hartley
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ACCESS
Our Access Scheme offers additional information on suitable seating, and adjusted ticket pricing for audience members with access needs.
Explore the assisted performances for this event below. We also provide Access Resources for Audio Described and Relaxed performances. These will be added in time for the first of each of those access performances and will be available for all performances after that date.