The Masked Princess

To everyone around her, Princess Paloma appears to be the perfect princess. She knows how she is expected to behave, what she is supposed to say and how she should present herself.

Underneath that carefully constructed version of Paloma, however, is someone struggling to be seen.

Paloma has become so used to hiding her feelings and changing herself to meet other people’s expectations that her mask is beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable. As she puts it, it is becoming “a little too tight”.

Grace explains:

“The Masked Princess is a story all about masking and neurodiversity, told through the medium of puppets and through our main character, Princess Paloma, who believes that her mask is getting a little too tight.”

One of the central ideas behind the production is that the longer somebody feels they must wear a mask, the heavier it can become. Paloma’s journey is not simply about removing a physical disguise. It is about understanding who she is beneath it and discovering that there does not have to be only one correct way to be a princess.

What Do We Mean by Masking?

Masking can happen when someone hides, suppresses or changes parts of themselves to fit in with the people and expectations around them.

A person might rehearse what they are going to say, copy other people’s behaviour, hide when they are overwhelmed or force themselves to appear comfortable when they are not. Some people may mask so regularly that those around them have no idea how much effort it is taking.

Although The Masked Princess has been created with neurodiversity at its heart, its message can resonate with anyone who has ever felt they needed to perform a different version of themselves to be accepted.

Importantly, the show does not suggest that unmasking is always simple, immediate or safe. Paloma is not told that she must suddenly abandon every expectation placed upon her. Instead, the story considers how we can find a healthier balance between being ourselves and doing the things that are sometimes required of us.

It also asks the people around Paloma to reflect on their own behaviour. The responsibility cannot sit entirely with the person who is masking. Families, friends, teachers, leaders and communities must also consider whether they have created an environment in which somebody feels able to be honest.

Enter Jan Gling

Helping Paloma through her story is Jan Gling, the Fool.

Jan brings energy, humour and a different way of looking at the world. Through Jan, the audience begins to discover that everybody masks in different ways (and that the version of a person we see on the outside may not tell us everything happening underneath).

Jan’s scenes combine comedy, audience-friendly storytelling and fast-paced musical moments, including a lively rap influence. The character helps make a potentially complicated subject understandable without making it feel like a lesson or lecture.

Because this is an Actcessible production, serious ideas are allowed to sit alongside silliness, slapstick, puppets and pantomime. The show can make an audience laugh while still giving them something meaningful to discuss afterwards.

The Voices Behind the Mask

Paloma’s internal worries are brought to life through characters including Imposter, Insecurity and Inadequacy.

These characters personify the thoughts that can convince someone they are not good enough, do not belong or will disappoint everyone if their true self is revealed. Instead of explaining these feelings in abstract language, The Masked Princess turns them into characters that children can see, hear and recognise.

The production’s puppet-filled world also includes Mouse and the imposing Dragon King.

By the end of the story, the Dragon King begins an important conversation with Paloma and accepts responsibility for the part he has played in making her feel she needed to hide. This allows the ending to become more than a simple instruction to “be yourself”. It shows that the people with power to create expectations must also be willing to listen, learn and change.

An Original R&B-Inspired Musical

Music is a major part of The Masked Princess. Its sound takes inspiration from pop, rap and R&B, giving the production a contemporary identity while keeping the story accessible and enjoyable for children and families.

The music allows the characters to express thoughts and feelings that they might struggle to say aloud. It also helps the production move between comedy, confusion, pressure and moments of genuine honesty.

The script, music, demonstration recordings and supporting learning materials were developed during the summer of 2026. These resources will allow the themes raised during the performance to continue through conversations and creative activities after the show has ended.

Accessibility at the Heart of the Production

Adoria who plays Jan Gling states:

“When you can finally come out of your shell, take your mask off if you like, and be yourself, you may feel a lot lighter in doing so, and a lot more your true self.”

Actcessible is a disability-led theatre charity, so accessibility is not something added to a production once everything else has been decided. It is part of how our work is developed from the beginning.

The Masked Princess uses a mixture of live performance, music, puppetry, masks, visual storytelling and clearly defined characters. This gives audiences several different ways to engage with the story.

The production will make its first public appearance on Saturday 12 September 2026 at the Spectrum Autism Festival at Lea Green Development Centre, near Matlock in Derbyshire. The festival runs from 10am until 4pm.

Tickets available at: https://www.ticketsource.com/spectrumderbyshire/spectrum-autism-friendly-festival-2026/e-ogxglx

The show sits alongside The Sword in the Stone as part of Actcessible’s wider Re-U-Knighted Tour, which takes accessible theatre and activities directly into a variety of community and outreach settings during September and October 2026.

More Than a Story About Taking Off a Mask

At first, The Masked Princess may appear to be a story about a princess learning to take off her mask.

Its real message goes deeper.

It is about recognising why the mask was needed in the first place. It is about giving someone the freedom to experiment, communicate and decide how much of themselves they are ready to share. It is also about encouraging the people around them to listen rather than assuming they already understand.

Paloma does not need to become somebody new. She needs the opportunity to discover who she already is.

When she is finally able to step out from behind some of the expectations placed upon her, she begins to feel lighter - and much more like her true self.