‘My name is Phyllis Princess James.
I will wear this crown every day.
I will never take it off even when I am asleep.’

Meet Princess. A cheeky ten-year-old, with a plan to win the Weston-super-Mare Beauty Contest. Trouble is, her mum is busy working several jobs, her brother, a budding photographer, won't even take her picture and then – The Hustler returns.

In 1963 Bristol, as Black British Civil Rights campaigners walk onto the streets, Princess finds out what it really means to be black and beautiful.

Chinonyerem Odimba's play Princess & The Hustler was first seen at the Bristol Old Vic in February 2019, followed by a UK tour, in a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company, Bristol Old Vic and Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Dawn Walton. The play was shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Best New Play Award 2018.

'Written with heart and purpose... every character in it deserves to be heard' — Guardian

'Odimba's dialogue is witty and flavourful, and the action fizzes with detail... in a story that radiates love and hope, Odimba explores a crucial slice of black British history... richly textured, passionate and enormously affecting' — The Times

'A crucial slice of black British history... Chinonyerem Odimba's beautifully crafted play kaleidoscopes multiple issues with warmth, integrity and humour' — Observer

'Joyously playful... beautiful and celebratory, this is history with a beating heart' — Broadway World