Discover the world of Edwardian seaside beauty pageants in a ‘saucy and subversive tale of pride, prejudice and petticoat power’ ★★★★ (The Times) as Princess Essex, a new play by Anne Odeke, bursts into our iconic open-air theatre.

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.

A fast-paced, music-filled, empowering comedy based on the incredible true story of the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant in the UK. Writer and performer Anne Odeke (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Globe) makes her Globe playwriting debut, celebrating unapologetic authenticity, audacity, and challenging the stereotypes that we still cling to.

Robin Belfield (Twelfth Night, RSC) makes his debut at The Globe directing ‘an impressive ensemble cast’ (WhatsOnStage) in this inspiring story of bravery, beauty and belonging.