Four inspirational tales of Essex resilience intertwine to make an unmissable world premiere by the region’s most exciting playwrights.The Essex Princess by Anne OdekeIt’s 1908 and Joanna’s planning to provoke the attention of Southend and the whole of the nation, by becoming the first black woman to compete in a beauty pageant.Fiza by Guleraana MirFiza’s moved home with her parents. Under dire circumstance...

'Shall I tell you a secret? Anyone can be a queen, but a real queen wears the crown, she doesn't let the crown wear her.'It's 1908. Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Princess Dinubolu of Senegal is about to enter the beauty contest at the iconic Kursaal, Europe's largest entertainment complex. Meet Princess Essex.But how exactly did she get here? And is she all that she seems?Anne Odeke's play Princess Essex is a riotous, satirical comedy based on the amazin...

Megamonster, from Children's author David Walliams.On a volcanic island, in the middle of shark-infested waters, stands The Cruel School. The lessons are appalling, the school dinners are revolting and the teachers are terrifying – especially the mysterious Science teacher Doctor Doktur.When Larker is sent to the school, she quickly realises something very odd is going on… something involving Doctor Doktur, a pair of strange spectacles, and a ‘Monsterfication Machine’. And ...

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells ten of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself.This collection includes Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear, Henry V, Twelfth Night, Taming of the Shrew, The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, ...

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells two of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream, in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself.Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, the nation’s favourite storyteller preserves all the imaginative genius and spark of the originals, while bringing a contemporary and vi...

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!, from Children's author David Walliams.Our hero Ben is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his grandma s house. She’s the boringest grandma ever: all she wants to do is to play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup. But there are two things Ben doesn’t know about his grandma:She was once an international jewel thief.All her life, she has been plotting to steal the Crown Jewels, and now she needs Ben’s help…...

Code Name Bananas, from Children's author David Walliams.Britain is at war with Nazi Germany.Eleven-year-old Eric spends his days at the place that makes him most happy: London Zoo. And there’s one animal in particular he loves: Gertrude the gorilla.With bombs falling all over London, Eric must rescue Gertrude.Together with his Uncle Sid, a keeper at the zoo, the three go on the run. But while hiding out at the seaside they uncover ...

Spaceboy, from Children's author David Walliams.America. The 1960s.Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, twelve-year-old orphan Ruth spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of adventure.One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky… before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all Ruth’s dreams come true.But does this visitor from another planet have a giant secret?

Robodog, from Children's author David Walliams.Bedlam is one of the most dangerous places on Earth – home to a host of wicked villains. Nothing and nobody is safe from these evil criminals. The city needs its own superhero to defeat the supervillains. But who?Robodog!He’s the newest recruit at the Police Dog School, and supercharged for adventure. But can he stop the most feared duo in Bedlam, and their evil plans to ruin the city …?

The Blunders, from Children's author David Walliams.Meet the Blunders: Bertie, Betsy, their children, Brutus and Bunny, along with their beloved grandma Old Lady Blunder, and their pet ostrich, Cedric. An ostrich is not a sensible pet, but then the Blunders are not sensible people.This family of upper-class twits lives in a crumbling country house named Blunder Hall. When their home comes under threat, they must embark on a series of comic misadventures to save it.

Slime, from Children's author David Walliams.WELCOME TO THE ISLE OF MULCH…This little island is home to a large number of horrible grown-ups. The school, the local park, the toy shop and even the island’s ice-cream van are all run by awful adults who like nothing more than making children miserable. And the island is owned by the most awful one of all – Aunt Greta Greed!Something needs to be done about them.But who could be brave enough?Meet Ned – an...

The World’s Worst Parents, from Children's author David Walliams.Are you ready to meet the worst parents ever?Sure, some parents are embarrassing – but they’re NOTHING on this lot. These ten tales of the world’s most spectacularly silly mums and deliriously daft dads will leave you rocking with laughter.Pinch your nose for Peter Pong, the man with the stinkiest feet in the world… jump out of the way of Harriet Hurry, the fastest mum on two wheels… w...