‘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’
Casting is announced for Anne Odeke’s Princess Essex. This new play tells the true story of Princess Dinubolu, the first woman of colour to enter a UK beauty pageant. An exploration of beauty and bravery, Princess Essex is set in the Edwardian seaside of 1908, in the iconic Kursaal in Southend, Europe’s biggest entertainment complex.
Odeke says: “I’m aware, it’s not every day you get asked to write a play for the Globe’s main stage and to be in it. Though a daunting task, it’s above all else, an exciting one, with the greatest privilege of all being able to share with audiences Princess Dinubolu’s incredible story; a story that for over a hundred years remained hidden – a story of beauty, of belonging, and of authenticity.”
Director Robin Belfield adds: “With Anne’s play we have an opportunity to shine a light on a little-known piece of British history. The story of a woman of colour, in Essex, in 1908, swimming against the tide. It’s a story we need to hear, from a voice we haven’t heard. I’m thrilled that we have such an extraordinary, brilliant, and diverse company to bring this hidden history to life for our modern ears.”
Anne Odeke will play Princess Dinubolu while the rest of the cast comprises of 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, Anne Odeke as Princess Dinubolu, Eloise Secker as Violet / Ensemble, Kyla Semper as Eve, Simon Startin as Mayor Ingram / Ensemble, and Yasmin Taheri as Harriet / Ensemble.
Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside, SE1 from 13th September – 26th October. Admission: £5 – £75.
Booking: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
