Full cast and creative team revealed for UK premiere of MARIE AND ROSETTA
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, the roof-raising play with music telling 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.
As previously announced, celebrating her professional play debut as Rosetta Tharpe, is multi award-winning singer and actress Beverley Knight.
Joining Beverley is Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Royal Exchange), an up-and-coming talent making her London stage debut as Marie Knight, Rosetta’s protege and musical partner.
The creative team joining Touko includes set designer Lily Arnold, costume designer Jodie-Simone Howe, movement director Kloé Dean, music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator Liam Godwin, lighting designer Matt Haskins, sound designer Tony Gayle, intimacy director Bethan Clark, voice and dialect coach Joel Trill, and casting director Jacob Sparrow.
Marie and Rosetta runs at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from 2 - 24 May before transferring to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 27 - 31 May, and Chichester Festival Theatre from 25 June - 26 July.
Director Monique Touko 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.”
To book tickets for Marie and Rosetta, please visit the venue websites.