Cast announced for Princess Essex at Shakespeare’s Globe | 13 Sept – 26 Oct

Cast announced for Princess Essex

Shakespeare’s Globe announce the cast of Princess Essex, directed by Robin Belfield (Twelfth Night, RSC), written by and starring Anne Odeke (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Globe). 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.

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.

Writer Anne 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 says: “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.”