To mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of American singer and songwriter Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, and ETT have announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of George Brant’s critically-acclaimed Marie and Rosetta. This roof-raising play with music tells the true story of Tharpe and her protégé Marie Knight. Directed by Monique Touko, this production featuring gospel and blues hits is an electrifying portrait of the godmother of rock ’n’ roll.
Celebrating her professional play debut as Rosetta Tharpe is multi award-winning singer and actress Beverley Knight, whose many West End performances include Memphis, The Drifters Girl, Sylvia (for which she won an Olivier Award), and Sister Act.
Joining Beverley Knight is Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, an up-and-coming talent making her London stage debut as Marie Knight, Rosetta’s protégé and musical partner. Her recent theatre credits include Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, The Space Between Us, Mixtape, Nothing, and The Mountain Top (Royal Exchange Theatre).
The creative team joining Touko includes Lily Arnold (Set Designer), Jodie-Simone Howe (Costume Designer), Kloé Dean (Movement Director), Liam Godwin (Music Supervisor, Arranger & Orchestrator), Matt Haskins (Lighting Designer), Tony Gayle (Sound Designer), Bethan Clark (Intimacy Director), Joel Trill (Voice & Dialect Coach), Jacob Sparrow (Casting Director), Jordi M. Carter (Associate Director), and Teresa Nagel (Associate Lighting Designer).
Marie and Rosetta runs at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from 2 – 24 May (Press Performance: Friday 9 May) before transferring to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 27 – 31 May and Chichester Festival Theatre from 25 June – 26 July (Press Performance: Wednesday 2 July).
Monique Touko, Director, said, “With this UK premiere, I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a talented, reflective, and passionate creative team whose skill and dedication will bring this story to life in the most profound way. We have found our Marie in Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, and alongside Beverley Knight, we aim to create a space where Marie and Rosetta’s powerful bond and transformative influence can resonate with UK audiences. From the performances to the design, and the injection of live music, every element of this production works in harmony to highlight the immense cultural significance of these trailblazing women.”
Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre, said, “Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight’s story is a powerful, essential and thrilling tale of creativity and triumph in the face of adversity. To truly honour the work of such remarkable artists, we need the most exceptional cast and creative team. Monique Touko has assembled just such a group of artists. Their talent and passion will create something extraordinary, a production that will soar with passion, style and integrity. I cannot wait to share it with our audience.”
Justin Audibert, Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, said, “It’s thrilling that Monique Touko has recruited a bright young star, Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, to play opposite the magnificent Beverley Knight as Rosetta. Together with her excellent creative team, I know they will give us a revelatory, memorable and exhilarating experience. It’s no surprise to us that our audiences have rushed to snap up tickets to see this remarkable play in the intimate environment of the Minerva Theatre, and we can’t wait to see it, both here in Chichester, in Kingston and in Wolverhampton.”
Richard Twyman, Artistic Director & CEO, and Sophie Scull, Executive Producer of ETT, said, “Marie and Rosetta is a beautiful and brilliant play, based on extraordinary women. Monique Touko has brought together a truly world-class cast and creative team to realise this poignant story, that I know will resonate powerfully today. We cannot wait for audiences in Kingston, Chichester and Wolverhampton to experience the production and be carried away by this magical celebration of music and theatre.”
Marie and Rosetta is a co-production between Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, and ETT.
