Princess Essex
Princess Essex

Princess Essex

Globe Theatre, London, SE1 9DT
  • Discover the world of Edwardian seaside beauty pageants at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre this summer, 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 this inspiring story of bravery, beauty and belonging.

    'Shall I tell you a secret? Anyone can be a Queen, but a real Queen doesn’t let the crown wear her, she wears the crown.’

    Book your PRINCESS ESSEX theatre tickets today!


    Located on the bank of the River Thames in Bankside's Cultural Quarter, Shakespeare's Globe welcomes thousands of visitors to experience world renowned productions of Shakespeare every day.

    Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe stands a few hundred yards from its original site. Other than concessions to comply with modern day fire regulations, the Globe is as accurate a reconstruction of the 1599 Globe as was possible with the available evidence.

    Shakespeare's Globe is best accessed on foot. There are excellent footpaths along the river from Waterloo and from Southwark Bridge. The Millennium Footbridge is 50 metres from the Theatre.

    NEAREST TUBE STATION: Blackfriars/ Mansion House (10 minute walk). London Bridge / Southwark/ Central Line (15 minute walk).

    NEAREST RAIL STATION: Blackfriars (10 minute walk) London Bridge (15 minute walk), Cannon Street (15 minute walk) and Waterloo (25 minute walk).

    BUSES: Numbers 45, 63, 100 to Blackfriars Bridge; 15, 17 to Cannon Street; 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76 to Mansion House; 381, RV1 to Southwark Street; 344 to Southwark Bridge Road

    DISABLED TOILETS: Piazza level (P): Two accessible toilets to the left, one immediately after the shop and one at the end of the corridor, beyond the gentleman’s toilets (approximately 5 metres). One accessible toilet on the west side of the piazza next to the first aid room.

  • Globe Theatre

    21 New Globe Walk,
    Bankside,
    London,
    SE1 9DT

  • Full Seating Plan
    Globe Theatre Seating Plan