No longer booking
  • Venue Shakespeare's Globe, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 26 October 2024
  • Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines No age restrictions

Get Princess Essex tickets at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London.

Discover the world of Edwardian seaside beauty pageants at the Globe this summer, as Princess Essex bursts into the iconic open-air theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Written by and starring Anne Odeke (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Globe), who makes her Globe playwriting debut, this fast-paced, music-filled, empowering comedy is based on the incredible true story of the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant in the UK.

Princess Essex celebrates unapologetic authenticity, audacity, and challenging the stereotypes that we still cling to.

Robin Belfield (Twelfth Night, RSC) makes his debut at The Globe directing this inspiring story of bravery, beauty and belonging.

Princess Essex runs from 13 September 2024 to 26 October 2024 at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London.

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.

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Princess Essex?

Starring Anne Odeke as Princess Dinubolu

Also starring Matthew Ashforde as Mr Bacon / Ensemble, Nigel Barrett as Colonel Harris / Ensemble / Cover, Janai Bartlett as Eve, John Cummins as King Edward / Ensemble, Alison Halstead as Batwa / Ensemble, Lizzie Hopley as Mrs Bugle / Ensemble, Tyreke Leslie as Mayor Pepper / Counsellor Bernard / Ensemble, Sophie Mercell as Mr Southend Standard / Ensemble / Cover, Syakira Moeladi as Counsellor Geoffrey / Elise / Ensemble, Jamie-Rose Monk as Mrs Bacon / Ensemble, Eloise Secker as Violet / Ensemble, Kyla Semper as Eve, Simon Startin as Mayor Ingram / Ensemble, and Yasmin Taheri as Harriet / Ensemble.

Who are the creative team of Princess Essex?

Written by Anne Odeke

Directed by Robin Belfield

Designed by Hayley Grindle, with Simon Slater as Composer, Ingrid Mackinnon as Movement Director, Sarah Dickenson as Dramaturg, Bethan Clark as Fight Director, Tess Dignan as Head of Voice, Priya Patel Appleby as Resident Assistant Director and Ellen Hartley as Voice Coach

Important Notes

Access Performances: Captioned: Thursday 3 October, 7.30pm; Saturday 19 October, 7.30pm; BSL: Friday 4 October, 7.30pm; Friday 11 October, 7.30pm; Audio Described: Saturday 28 September, 2pm; Relaxed: Saturday 5 October, 2pm; Thursday 17 October,7.30pm

Important Information: This play contains racist and ableist language

Age recommendations: The Globe does not have age limits on its productions. Some of Shakespeare’s Plays explore scenes which some children may find upsetting.

Venue Information

Shakespeare's Globe , 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT

Nearest Tube or Train: London Bridge (Jubilee line, Northern line)

Nearest Buses: 45, 63, 100, 15, 17, 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76, 381 , RV1, 344

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Princess Essex

“Anne Odeke is a magnetic presence” - The Stage

"Seaside silliness in a last blast of summer fun" - The Times

"You’re left on a high" - What's On Stage

"Odeke is a charismatic presence with superb comic timing" - The Telegraph

Frequently Asked Questions

Princess Essex is playing at the Shakespeare's Globe in London
The running time of Princess Essex is 2 hours and 30 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Princess Essex are: No age restrictions
Yes, Princess Essex has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, Princess Essex has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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