The Prince ★★★★★ Southwark Playhouse | Sep 15 - Oct 8, 2022


What if you suddenly discovered that you were trapped in a play, living according to a script not of your own choosing? This is the provocative and amusing premise of The Prince. Two intruders into the world of Henry IV, Part I challenge the assumptions that the characters have been living with, and try to awaken them to a sense of their real selves. Joni Ayton-Kent as Sam and Mary Malone as Jen are hysterical as these two unlikely messengers of personal freedom, and they do an excellent job of setting the comic tone of the piece. Corey Montague Sholay also does fine work as the emergent Prince Hal, who in this case is coming out as gay to his formidable father, brilliantly played by Che Walker. Ultimately however, this evening belongs to Abigail Thorn. She creates a convincing and captivating Hotspur, and she has written a play that is both charming and challenging. It becomes a metaphor for the fact, that we all exist within a cultural context that defines both our self-perception and how we view others. And, much of that sociocultural framework is filtered through the definitional work of the icon, William Shakespeare. The Prince is an original piece of theatre that respectfully challenges the bard and all of us to review our assumptions. Put this one on your must-see list!

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Mark Senior.

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When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Southwark, London SE1 3SS, UK

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