đ Princess Essex
đShakespeare’s Globe Theatre
đď¸ AD-Gifted
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âAnyone can be a Queen, but a real Queen wears the crown, she doesnât let the crown wear her.â
Princess Essex at Shakespeareâs Globe transports us to 1908 Southend-on-Sea in this fast-paced, empowering comedy inspired by true events. Written and performed by Anne Odeke, the show is based on a woman who broke racial barriers, becoming the first Black woman to enter a beauty pageant in the UK.
In this playwrighting debut, Odeke is also the first woman of colour to write and star in a play at Shakespeareâs Globe. We quite literally were watching history being made!
Odeke stars in the role of Joanna, a mixed-race maid who is fed up with how she is treated, and the limitations imposed on her. Joanna decides she should enter the local beauty pageant, by pretending to be a Senegalese royal named Princess Dinubolu. By presenting herself as a princess, Joanna believes people will be more accepting of her race because she is of a higher social class.
Directed by Robin Belfield, this production is infused with irresistible energy, humour, and musical moments, played by an impressive supporting band. Though the set is minimal, it doesn’t detract from the experience. With clever use of props and numerous, vibrant costumes, the audience is transported to the seaside town, and it becomes one of the most entertaining and imaginative productions Iâve seen.
Odekeâs writing is as much an inspiring history lesson as it is a comedy, highlighting issues of race, class and feminism, that resonate powerfully today. As the show challenges stereotypes and barriers placed on people of colour and women, it encourages the audience to reflect on how far weâve comeâand how much further we still must go. I also appreciated how the farcical moments did not diminish the gravity of the themes. The writing and direction successfully balance the light-hearted moments with the more serious themes.
Odeke is a standout on the stage. Her quick wit, charm and precise comedic timing keep the audience laughing while rooting for Joanna throughout. The satirical humour is sharp, clever and well-paced. Odeke is supported by a talented ensemble, who seamlessly shift between multiple roles, while singing and dancing. They add a lively energy to the show and deliver strong comedy performances. Notable mentions to Eloise Secker who hilariously performs as Violet, while John Cumminsâs portrayal of King Edward VI is delightfully absurd! These hysterical moments
My interpretation of this production is that it tackles the erasure of Black history, particularly the stories of women whose contributions are often overlooked. With themes of identity, beauty standards and belonging, Odeke has written a bold and refreshing story. The final scenes were a significant reminder of the importance of representation, which made me feel quite emotional.
Princess Essex is an empowering, thought-provoking and entertaining piece of theatre. The show challenges stereotypes and celebrates the importance of being our true authentic selves. With lively performances and a fantastic script, this is an incredible debut from Anne Odeke & Robin Belfield and a must-see theatre show!
Princess Essex is playing at Shakespeareâs Globe until 26 October 2024!
