'Princess & The Hustler' (October 2024)
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
Chinonyerem Odimba's motivation for writing the play was to allow young black girls to feel 'beautiful' as well as 'strong and capable'. The play follows Princess, a 10-year-old girl living in Bristol, and her family. Her father, The Hustler, unexpectedly returns after a long time away.
Directed by Landé Belo, 'Princess & The Hustler' ra
Chinonyerem Odimba's motivation for writing the play was to allow young black girls to feel 'beautiful' as well as 'strong and capable'. The play follows Princess, a 10-year-old girl living in Bristol, and her family. Her father, The Hustler, unexpectedly returns after a long time away.
Directed by Landé Belo, 'Princess & The Hustler' ran at Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington, London, from 2 to 12 October 2024.
"I will wear this crown every day..."
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
“My name is Phyllis Princess James. I will wear this crown every day. I will never take it off even when I am asleep.” Ten-year-old Princess is black, beautiful, bright and obsessed with winning the Weston-super-Mare Beauty Contest. Mother, Mavis is making ends meet, brother, Junior longs to become a photographer. Enter The Hustler,
“My name is Phyllis Princess James. I will wear this crown every day. I will never take it off even when I am asleep.” Ten-year-old Princess is black, beautiful, bright and obsessed with winning the Weston-super-Mare Beauty Contest. Mother, Mavis is making ends meet, brother, Junior longs to become a photographer. Enter The Hustler, Princess’s absentee father, setting off a chain of events … life will never be the same again.
A pivotal moment in British history
"Never let anyone tell you what or who you can be."
A pivotal moment in British history
Beauty pageants and bus boycotts collide in 1963 as Black Bristolians fight for their civil rights, whilst Princess fights for her right to be black and beautiful. Set during a pivotal moment in British history, 'Princess & The Hustler' is an uplifting tale of solidarity, optimism and the pursuit of happiness.
Partners
KEY MESSAGES
What did we talk / chant / protest about on the march?
We were exposing the little-known Bristol Bus Boycott and educating the public through the power and magic of theatre - specifically via the 'Princess & The Hustler' new play at Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington 2-12 Oct 2024 - on the pivotal role the boycott played in the UK's race relations and racial equality policy development. See below for some soundbites we used.
PLACARDS AND SOME TALKING POINTS
UK had it's own Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s too!
'Princess & The Hustler' uses the power of theatre to engage, entertain and educate
UK had it's own Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s too!
When you hear 'civil rights struggle and movement' I bet you think of the US in the 1960s, right? I bet you didn't know that the UK had its own!
The Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 is a significant but hidden piece of the history of civil rights and racial equality movements in the UK.
There is a ton of UK black history that is unknown, or hid
When you hear 'civil rights struggle and movement' I bet you think of the US in the 1960s, right? I bet you didn't know that the UK had its own!
The Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 is a significant but hidden piece of the history of civil rights and racial equality movements in the UK.
There is a ton of UK black history that is unknown, or hidden and not spoken about. We really need to excavate, un-supress, reveal, expose, liberate and unhide it all! How else can we build a society in the UK today that values diversity, promotes justice, and strives for equality for all its citizens?
Bristol Bus Boycott changed history!
'Princess & The Hustler' uses the power of theatre to engage, entertain and educate
UK had it's own Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s too!
The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott was a protest against the Bristol Omnibus Company's discriminatory hiring practices, which excluded Black and Asian people from working as bus drivers and conductors.
Inspired by the U.S. civil rights movement, the boycott was led by Black activists including Paul Stephenson and Roy Hackett. It gained widespre
The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott was a protest against the Bristol Omnibus Company's discriminatory hiring practices, which excluded Black and Asian people from working as bus drivers and conductors.
Inspired by the U.S. civil rights movement, the boycott was led by Black activists including Paul Stephenson and Roy Hackett. It gained widespread support from students, trade unions, and the local Labour Party.
After four months, the bus company lifted its colour bar, and the boycott marked a significant victory for racial equality in Britain. It also helped pave the way for the UK's 1965 Race Relations Act, combating racial discrimination.
'Princess & The Hustler' uses the power of theatre to engage, entertain and educate
'Princess & The Hustler' uses the power of theatre to engage, entertain and educate
'Princess & The Hustler' uses the power of theatre to engage, entertain and educate
Set during the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 'Princess & The Hustler' at Tower Theatre 2-12 Oct 2024 is an impressive story about self-discovery, empowerment, and the importance of standing up for justice. It embraces the power of theatre to send a strong message about the value of self-worth, the power of community, and the significance of
Set during the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 'Princess & The Hustler' at Tower Theatre 2-12 Oct 2024 is an impressive story about self-discovery, empowerment, and the importance of standing up for justice. It embraces the power of theatre to send a strong message about the value of self-worth, the power of community, and the significance of fighting for equality and human rights.
By introducing important historical events and social issues in an accessible and relatable way, 'Princess & The Hustler' educates diverse audiences while it engages and delivers a great night out at the theatre for the whole family.
Our distinguished Q&A panellists
David Neita
David Neita
David Neita
Dave Neita is a lawyer, published poet, lecturer and motivational speaker specialising in
leadership, culture and mental wellbeing. An advocate for human rights and an expert in
organisational development, Dave has worked with Broadmoor Hospital, NASA and The
Church of England. For over a decade he has been a regular keynote speaker at the D
Dave Neita is a lawyer, published poet, lecturer and motivational speaker specialising in
leadership, culture and mental wellbeing. An advocate for human rights and an expert in
organisational development, Dave has worked with Broadmoor Hospital, NASA and The
Church of England. For over a decade he has been a regular keynote speaker at the Duke of
Edinburgh (DofE) Gold Award Ceremony held at St James Palace, where he encourages the
awardees to continue to use their DofE experience to build up their respective communities.
Nominated for Lecturer of the Year Award, Dave has been Lecturing on the Health Policy
and Practice Programme at IES London since 2012 and has delivered lectures, in the UK
and internationally, on a range of themes from Arts and Culture to Mental Health, Human
Rights, and The Law and The Constitution. Dave is also a playwright and has taken is play,
UPLIFT, to the Edinburgh Festival, and it received critical acclaim.
Dave has a MA in Cultural Leadership, volunteers his time in the community and served as the UK ambassador for the European Year of Equal Opportunity for All: Face of the Year Campaign. Known for his success as a member of the legal team behind a class action suit against a major multinational corporation on behalf of thousands of injured South Africa Miners, Dave continues to work as an advocate for underprivileged, exploited or disenfranchised people, everywhere.
As a patient advocate and art consultant for the new £350m facility for Broadmoor - the largest, most well-known mental health institution in
Europe, Dave has spearheaded the dialogue around race, art, identity and healing in mental
health between patients, staff, architects and black artists.
Dave is a fellow of the King's fund who has spoken at events at the Houses and Parliament
(both The Commons and The Lords). As a lawyer, poet and college-level educator, Dave is
involved in NASA's programme to encourage the next generation of students into science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM subjects). He has completed a stint coleading a training programme for young people in Scotland, England and Wales alongside a team of US astronauts. He continues to build links with both ecclesiastical and secular nstitutions to tackle seemingly intractable social conflicts.
Amy Saleh
David Neita
David Neita
Amy Saleh taught English in secondary schools for nine years before becoming a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of the West of England. Her research focuses on the teaching, learning and impacts of Black British literature in the Secondary English classroom.
With a team of teachers, Amy formed the Lit. Legacies project which
Amy Saleh taught English in secondary schools for nine years before becoming a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of the West of England. Her research focuses on the teaching, learning and impacts of Black British literature in the Secondary English classroom.
With a team of teachers, Amy formed the Lit. Legacies project which seeks to equip teachers to engage with Black British literature through curriculum resources and training. Amy is currently the Creative Education Producer for Global Majority theatre company, Beyond Face, and a Representation Matters associate.