Princess Essex - Globe Tickets

In Princess Essex travel back in time to 1908 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex into the world of beauty pageants where Princess Dinubolu of Senegal makes history as the first black woman to enter a UK beauty pageant. Book Princess Essex tickets on London Theatre.

Based on a true story, Princess Essex in London is part history lesson, part comedy, as Anne Odeke (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), who wrote the play and is the actress in this one-woman show, brings the story to life. This show gives voice to the little-known historical figure of Princess Dinubolu. Throughout the tale, authenticity is celebrated, and stereotypes are challenged.

Princess Essex is a play with an exceptional creative team, including Robin Belfield (Twelfth Night), who is making his Globe directing debut. Simon Slater (Constellations) is the Olivier Award-nominated composer, and Hayley Grindle (Unbelievable) is the designer.

This play was commissioned by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Its first performance was on 12 November 2020, and since then, the show has seen success touring starting February 2022 thanks to the support of the Arts Council England, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Matthew Schmolle, The Mercury Theatre Colchester, Creative Estuary, and the South Essex African & Caribbean Association (SEACA).

The show, with its moments of humour and the brilliant display of Anne Odeke’s acting prowess, has been a hit with audiences and critics. As the Southend Theatre Scene’s five-star review said, “Odeke’s one woman show takes us on an hour long journey from 1908 to present day and is packed full of historic facts and re-enactments that are often hilarious, frequently shocking but consistently entertaining.”

Over 100 years after she made history, Princess Dinubolu is finally being recognized both on and off stage. In fact, in 2023, a blue plaque was unveiled at Southend Victoria Station that reads, “Princess Dinubolu arrived at this station in August 1908 on her way to Southend Kursaal. The first woman of colour known to have entered a British beauty pageant.”