Marie and Rosetta at @sohoplace

Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Chichester Festival Theatre in association with Nica Burns present the Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and ETT production

Written by George Brant
Directed by Monique Touko

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the roof-raising ‘godmother of rock ‘n’ roll’, influenced countless musicians from Elvis to Johnny Cash. This sparkling, intimate portrait of Rosetta and her beloved singing partner, Marie Knight, restores these forgotten musical heroines to the spotlight as one of the most remarkable and revolutionary duos in music history.

Mississippi, 1946. Sister Rosetta has changed the face of gospel music with her exuberant, electric guitar-playing style. Shunned by straitlaced church folk for performing in nightclubs and glorying in rhythm and blues, she’s persuaded the saintly young singer Marie to join her on a tour of the segregated southern States. But first she has to convert Marie’s pure Sunday sound into something that has just a little more swing…

Featuring a wealth of joyous rock and gospel hits including Didn’t It Rain and Peace in the Valley, the show will feature live musicians accompanying Olivier Award-winning West End star Beverley Knight (Memphis, The Drifters Girl, Sylvia, Sister Act) as Rosetta Tharpe.

George Brant is an award-winning American playwright whose work includes Grounded (Fringe First and Off-West End Awards).

Monique Touko, winner of the 2022 Stage Debut Award for Best Director, whose acclaimed productions include The Boy at the Back of the Class, School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, Wedding Band and G, directs this UK premiere.

★★★★ ’Incandescent vocals’ - The Times

★★★★ ’Intimate and electrifying’ - WhatsOnStage

★★★★ ‘Bursts with mischief and joy’ - The Stage

★★★★ ‘A fascinating story with powerhouse performances’ - Broadway World

★★★★ 'An absolute stonker of a show. Don't hesitate.' - Daily Express

★★★★ 'Has more soul, spirit and swing than many West End musicals.' - Daily Mirror