Princess Essex, Shakespeare’s Globe Review

Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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If you fancy a sprinkle of seaside shenanigans for a final splash of summer fun, then Princess Essex at the Globe Theatre is surely your must-see destination. The first original writing since I Joan of 2022, one of the final closing shows of the Globe’s summer season is Anne Odeke’s Princess Essex, a play that shines a spotlight on Britain’s first Black beauty pageant contestant, Princess Dinubolu. Odeke’s production at the Globe is also significant as it’s the first time a person of colour has written and starred in their own play on the stage.

A beautifully lively and groundbreaking production with seaside humour, saucy political conspiracies, and strong female empowerment, this show centres on the 1908 Southend on Sea International Beauty contest, where Princess Dinubolu became the first ever black beauty contestant in British history. Held in the Kursaal, in 1908 the world’s biggest entertainment centre, this event caught headlines around the world in a frenzy of sensationalism and mystery. However, much like a magician act, there is far more to this character and the story than originally meets the eye.

The centre of the plot spins around the fierce and proud foundling servant Joanna, who leaves her employer after an upsetting experience at a freak show and embarks on a quest to rescue the pygmy chief from mistreatment from show business. Along the way, we see the healthy and hilarious rivalry between Folkstone and Southend who are battling for prestige, money and accolades, (which is still going strong today) and a very dirty Prince Bertie seeking the next thrill which will send shockwaves through the world of Edwardian entertainment.

Odeke’s play text masterfully blends the cheeky, traditional humour of British seaside towns with a scathing critique of the deeply racist and misogynistic society that Joanna faces. The witty dialogue and comic scenes are peppered with nods and caricatures of classic music hall traditions, yet also contains the charm of the vintage Carry-On movies, resulting in a playful spirited, energy that keeps the audience highly engaged. Yet while the humour and light-hearted moments shine, Princess Essex also delves into more serious territory, addressing the systemic racism and inequality that Joanna must navigate. Despite the fun, there are sensitive themes around derogatory language and sexism, handled with utmost care and woven into the fabric of the story without overshadowing its joyful spirit.

The ensemble cast are fabulous and brings this story to life with vibrant performances. Anna Odeke stands out as Joanna, whose transformation from maid to self-assured heroine is a joy to watch. Matthew Ashforde and Jamie-Rose Monk as the cunning Mr. and Mrs. Bacon channel the comic chemistry of Sid James and Hattie Jacques, are an utter joy to watch. This is contrasted hilariously with the wannabe socialite Violet (Eloise Secker) and her growing fascination with the Bacon’s fierce maid and women’s rights campaigner Harriet (Yasmin Taheri). Alison Halsted as Batwa and Councillor Reginald is magnetic, and her excellent performance draws the audience into her world with plenty of warmth, charm, and wit.

The only misstep of this show is its timing. Originally a monologue but now reaching an eye-watering 2 hours and 40 minutes, the plot can often meander, especially in the second act with the side plots of the Kursaal’s woes (which are still keenly felt by Southend’s modern population), King Bertie’s lecherous buffoonery and the suffrage elements felt like fun but distracting weights on the core plot, therefore lessening some of the sharp points the show is trying so hard to make. However, the show’s rousing empowerment finale brings it back on track, leaving the audience uplifted and cheering for our heroine.

Princess Essex is the perfect goodbye splash of summer fun filled with sardonic seaside shenanigans. If you enjoy witty banter, thought-provoking theatre with biting satire and learning about a lesser-known but fascinating slice of British history, Princess Essex then I recommend this show for you.

At The Globe until 26 October.

★ ★ ★ ★