The Prince, by Abigail Thorn, debuted to rave reviews at Southwark Theatre. Now it's come to Nottingham with a uniquely gay reimagining of the Bard...
If you’ve ever thought Shakespeare could do with more queerness, more chaos, and a healthy dose of self-aware humour, then The Prince at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre might just be your new favourite thing. Written by Abigail Thorn (of Philosophy Tube fame), this is Shakespeare like you’ve never seen before – turned inside out, dipped in rainbows, and given a firm hug. A mash-up of classic Shakespearean characters, The Prince reimagines the Bard’s world as a backdrop for one person’s journey of trans self-discovery. It’s an unapologetically meta and wildly funny piece of theatre that’s also – at times – painfully heartfelt. That juxtaposition is what makes the show sing.
The standout performance of the night was undoubtedly Esther Warren as Hotspur. Commanding the stage with a presence that was equal parts defiant and tender, Warren delivered a performance that grounded the whole production. Watching her character grapple with identity, expectation and self-realisation was as powerful as it was moving. She brought the heart – and honestly, a few tears. On the comedic front, Jess Hall (Jen) and Ami Veera (Sam) were an absolute delight. Their chemistry with each other and the rest of the cast was a joy to watch, bouncing off one another with impeccable timing and a real sense of affection, frustration and confusion. Whether they were delivering punchlines or simply reacting to the absurdity around them, the duo added warmth and wit to every scene.
the sheer ridiculousness of Shakespearean archetypes
Speaking of absurdity – let’s talk about Maureen Mwabueze and Nathan Hackett. Their “crash out” monologues (there’s no better way to describe them, really) were comedic gold. Both actors threw themselves into the sheer ridiculousness of Shakespearean archetypes with gusto, shining a light on how bonkers these characters can seem when pulled into a modern context. The audience was in stitches – and rightly so. And while chaos often reigned supreme, the trio of Bernard Whelan, David Dunford and Sam Marshall brought a surprising stability to the show. In the face of all the chaos occurring on stage, they still managed to deliver Globe-worthy Shakespearian performances, with full sincerity and thespian prowess. I don’t know how they all managed to keep a straight face!
What makes The Prince such a triumph, though, is how it never loses sight of its message amidst the madness. It’s a love letter to those figuring themselves out, those who’ve ever felt out of place, and those still searching for community. Thorn’s script is clever, bold, and tender – reminding us that even centuries-old texts can be reinterpreted in ways that speak to who we are today. The Prince is the epitome of queer theatrics- blending sardonic comedy with heartwarming moments of self-discovery, the trauma of life in the closet, and the strength of finding community and friendship. In the run up to Notts Pride, you owe it to yourself to give this a watch!
The Prince runs at the Lace Market Theatre from Tuesday 22 July to Saturday 26 July 2025.
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