A hip hop musical about the suffragettes and the divisions within the movement? Yes, I know it sounds improbable, but you would have thought Hamilton utterly preposterous as an idea on paper, and we all know how that turned out. Kate Prince’s ZooNation celebrates the life of the rebellious Sylvia Pankhurst, less well known than her sister Christabel and her mum, Emmeline. Beverley Knight returns to play the flawed matriarch. The show has had a long gestation and was seen as a work in progress both in 2018 and early last year when its potential was apparent. It should be in far more robust form after all the development. Previous audience enthusiasm and the Old Vic’s faith in and support of this piece suggests this might be the iteration which really flies.
Following its 2018 run as a work-in-progress, Kate Prince’s Sylvia is back where it all began for its world premiere, uniting dance, hip hop, funk and soul to shine a light on a remarkable moment in history, with original music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde. 'Be the change that you want to see Be the change for you and me’ This revolutionary story celebrates the life of Sylvia Pankhurst – feminist, activist, pacifist, socialist, rebel – the lesser-known Pankhurst at the heart of the Suffragette movement, who changed the lives of working women and men across the world. An Old Vic and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company production iIn association with Sadler's Wells. Co-commissioned by 14–18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and from the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport. Please note, Beverley Knight will not perform on the following dates: • Mon 27 Feb • Tue 28 Feb • Mon 6 Mar • Tue 7 Mar • Mon 13 Mar • Tue 14 Mar • All performances between 20 - 28 Mar The role of Emmeline Pankhurst will be played by Hannah Khemoh at these performances. Age Recommendation: 10+
Sylvia is coming back to the Old Vic theatre, five years after it was originally developed. The brand new musical will make its official world premiere at the Old Vic this January 2023, starring celebrated singer and performer Beverly Knight. Following the life of landmark women’s rights activist Sylvia Pankhurst, this explosive new Beverly Knight musical in London is set to dazzle audiences with a score full of incredible new songs.
The new Sylvia Old Vic musical is going to be one of the most exciting pieces of new writing in London for 2023. Don’t miss out – get Sylvia London musical tickets with Stagedoor today.
Sylvia follows the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, daughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and revolutionary women’s rights activitist. Although the lesser-known Pankhurst, Sylvia’s work at the heart of the suffragette movement would eventually change the lives of working women and men everywhere.
Originally commissioned to mark the centenary since the end of World War One, the Sylvia Old Vic musical originally played a limited run of three weeks at the Old Vic back in 2018. What began as a simple tribute to Sylvia Pankhurst turned into a dynamic dance, soul, funk and hip-hop musical that delighted audiences in its short run. However, the production was still a work in progress. Now, after further development, Kate Prince’s Sylvia musical is back for an official debut
The Old Vic is known for developing fantastic new productions, and Sylvia is set to be a huge event in the theatrical calendar.
“I'm particularly grateful for this second chance and to be able to finish what has been the most extraordinary creative challenge yet of my life!” said adaptor Kate Prince.
Acclaimed recording artist and musical theatre performer Beverly Knight will star as Sylvia. Regarded as one of Britain’s greatest soul singers, Knight is known for hit songs such as ‘Greatest Day’, ‘Get Up!’ and ‘Come As You Are’. She has previously been seen in ‘Memphis’ and ‘The Drifters Girl’, both of which earned her a Laurence Olivier nomination for Best Actress In A Musical.
As well as playing the titular role, Knight is also serving as creative consultant on the new Sylvia Old Vic musical.
“I am so happy to be reprising my role as Emmeline Pankhurst in the utterly brilliant Sylvia,” she said in a statement. “The workshop version in 2018 pointed the way to what I believe will be a British musical theatre game-changer, both in the way the story is told through music and movement and in pulling in a different demographic to experience the joys of theatre.”
Don’t miss Knight’s powerful performance – book Sylvia Old Vic tickets today.
This boldly original piece of musical theatre is set to make waves when it lands on the stage of the Old Vic in 2023. Don’t miss out on this inspiring story, led by the incredibly talented Beverly Knight. Book Sylvia London musical tickets with Stagedoor.