The UK premiere of George Brant’s critically acclaimed Marie and Rosetta has been announced, which will play at the Rose Theatre Kingston from 2-24 May before transferring to Chichester Festival Theatre from 25 June-26 July.

This roof-raising play with music tells the true story of American singer and songwriter Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé Marie Knight. Directed by Monique Touko, the production featuring gospel and blues hits is an electrifying portrait of the godmother of rock ’n’ roll.

Celebrating her professional play debut as Rosetta 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. Full cast and creative team to be announced.

Beverley Knight said: “It is a great honour to be cast in the role of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of the unsung architects of rock ‘n’ roll. I am and have always been a storyteller, whether it be in a purely music form or in a theatrical setting. I’m excited to be able to tell the Sister Rosetta story in this important play about her life, trailblazing career and her relationship with the legendary gospel singer Marie Knight. This will be my first role in a professional play; I have performed many times in plays at an amateur level and I’m so thrilled that I get to tell HERstory as my debut. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, with her powerful expressive voice, her electrifying guitar and her Gospel message laid the foundations on which Chuck Berry, Ike Turner, Elvis Presley and literally everyone else has walked. The Godmother of rock ‘n’ roll deserves to be celebrated and remembered”.

Marie and Rosetta is a co-production between Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and ETT.

Rose Theatre priority booking is now open for new and current Rose Circle and Members (Friends, Family, and 30 & Under). Tickets will be available to general audiences from 20 January at 10am here.