5 Things You Need To Know About Sylvia

It’s based on the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, a campaigner for suffrage and the suffragette movement, and a prominent socialist. Her mother, Emmeline Pankhurst was the founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union alongside Sylvia’s sister, Christabel. They fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote, with the first women being given this right in 1918.

This musical has been long-awaited following its beginnings at The Old Vic in 2018 as a work-in-progress – when it brought the house down.

‘Sylvia is amazing – groundbreaking,  dynamic, emotive… a well deserved standing ovation for an empowering show‘

‘Sylvia is here to change the face of British theatre!‘

(Twitter)

After five years in development, it’s here for its world premiere with a fresh take on the script and new songs. If you saw the work-in-progress performance, you’ll want to come and experience its transformation – if you didn’t, it’s a must-see for 2023.

The show has original music from Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, lyrics by Kate Prince and additional lyrics by Tachia Newall, uniting dance, hip hop, funk and soul to shine a light on a remarkable moment in history.

Beverley Knight is playing Emmeline Pankhurst – you might have seen her recently in West End hits such as Sister Act or The Drifters Girl. She also has an MBE for services to music and is known for hits including Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come As You Are. Taking up the role of Sylvia Pankhurst is Sharon Rose who played Eliza in Hamilton in the West End.

It’s written, directed and choreographed by Kate Prince – the Artistic Director of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company (the female-led dance theatre company behind the West End’s first hip hop dance show, Into the Hoods).