The Princess and The Hustler is a new multi-layered play written
by Chinonyerem Odimba, current writer in residence at The Live Theatre and
Northumbria University.
The story revolves around 10-year-old Princess, who dreams of
winning the Weston-Super-Mare Beauty Contest. It is Christmas Day, signified by
a very small tree showing their poverty with a lack of presents. As Princess’
Mother, Mavis, prepares a chicken dinner, a surprise visitor arrives. Enter, Wendell
The Hustler, the long-lost homeless father, who also has a half-sister for
Princess, Lorna in tow. He is not welcomed by Mavis, Princess or Wendell
Junior. What follows is a well scripted journey which not only brilliantly develops
all of the characters, but also brings in the prejudice encountered which led
to the bus boycott in Bristol in 1963.
It has to be said that the acting is perfect throughout from
the entire cast. Though Kudzia Sitima as Princess and Emily Burnett as Lorna
produce outstanding performances playing the young girls, they both achieve truly
believable performances.
This is a wonderfully crafted play, dealing with important issues
which we should be reminded about. It certainly deserves another tour in the future.
I for one can’t wait to see more work from Chinonyerem Odimba
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