Name: Sylvia
Start: 2023-01-27
End: 2023-04-08
Location: Old Vic

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10+. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sylvia - LON

The Company in Sylvia at The Old Vic 2023 (1)

Sylvia

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Verity Blyth, Jade Hackett and Jay Perry in Sylvia at The Old Vic 2023

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The Company in Sylvia at The Old Vic 2023

Beverley Knight MBE was born in Wolverhampton in 1973.&nbsp;Throughout her teens, she sang in a church choir, whilst being raised listening to gospel music. She was also inspired by Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, who mixed elements of both gospel and secular music. In 1994, she signed to her first label, releasing her debut LP, The B-Funk, which won critical acclaim.

She is perhaps best known for a number of smash hits, including "Get Up!"&nbsp;and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", both from her third LP, Who I Am, which led to a Mercury Music Prize nomination. In 2004 she went onto release her biggest-selling album yet, *Affirmation*, which included hits such as “Keep This Fire Burning” and “Not Too Late for Love.”&nbsp;Subsequently, she won a lifetime achievement award at the Urban Music Awards.

In 2006, Knight released a platinum-selling compilation album. Following this, she started hosting Beverley’s Gospel Nights on BBC Radio 2, talking about gospel music, with interviews with celebrities including Michelle Williams and Shirley Caesar.&nbsp;Knight was one of the many performers in the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, a performance which was highly praised.&nbsp;

In 2013, Knight made her West End debut playing Rachel Marron in <a href="/show/the-bodyguard">The Bodyguard</a> at the <a href="/theatres/adelphi-theatre">Adelphi Theatre</a>. In 2014 she starred in West End production Memphis The Musical at the <a href="/theatres/shaftesbury-theatre">Shaftesbury Theatre</a>, and in 2015, she played Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats at the <a href="/theatres/london-palladium">London Palladium</a>.&nbsp;Knight led the cast as Faye Treadwell in the world premiere of <a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/the-drifters-girl">The Drifters Girl</a>.

In 2023, Knight will play Emmeline Pankhurst in *Sylvia* at the Old Vic. She won her first Olivier for *Sylvia,* winning the Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical category. She'll then reprise the role of Deloris Van Cartier in *Sister Act* at the Dominion Theatre in 2024.

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The Bodyguard [1840]

The Bodyguard

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The Dominion Theatre opened on 3 Oct. 1929. The theatre is located on the site of the former Horse Shoe Brewery, site of the 1814 London Beer Flood.

The theatre screened the premiere of Charlie Chaplin’s film, *City Lights* (with Chaplin himself attending). During its history, the Dominion Theatre hosted movies such as *South Pacific* and *The Sound of Music*, whilst interspersed with live performances, most famously the *Judy Garland Show*. In the 1980s, music stars played at the Dominion Theatre, including Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, David Bowie and U2.  

In the early 1990s, plans were set to convert the theatre into a car park, but this was not followed through. Now, the Dominion Theatre is home to large musicals, including *Grease,* a 12-year run of *We Will Rock You,* and *The Prince of Egypt.*

## Dominion Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has two levels – the Stalls and Circle. It is a very large space and offers excellent views of the stage wherever you sit.

In the Stalls, the rake of the seating is very good, offering excellent views from most seats and the legroom is excellent too. 

In the Circle, the seats are strongly raked which offers a great view.

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Dominion Theatre

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 The Drifters Girl [21273] - LON

The Drifters Girl

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"There’s only one New York Yankees, you can’t have another just because it features some ex-players” says Faye Treadwell in *The Drifters Girl*. The pioneering African-American music manager has the unenviable job of managing The Drifters, a doo-wop band who on hand dominate the music world, but also suffer from an ever-changing lineup and “copycat” rivals who look to steal their identity. 

But rest assured, while *The Drifters Girl* storyline shines a light on the band's issues, there's nothing wrong with this musical retelling. Thanks to its  zippy, upbeat music and a warm, progressive heart, there's no musical in town quite like it.

Based on an original idea by Faye Treadwell's daughter, Tina Treadwell, writer Ed Curtis faces an unenviable job of compiling decades of Drifters history into two and a half hours of musical entertainment. Rather than following moments in Drifters history, *The Drifters Girl* musical centres around Faye's daughter as she asks questions about her mother's life in the music industry. 

There's plenty of tough questions to contend with: band members drafted into the army, the sudden death of George Treadwell, and society's attitude to black performers in the midsts of the civil rights movement. 

It’s all expertly shown in slick fashion by Beverley Knight as Faye Treadwell and a cast of four males — playing dozens of roles between them and barely leaving the stage, they must be the hardest-working actors in the West End right now. 

But people aren't always coming for *The Drifters Girl* story. They want to hear the Drifters' greatest hits. The musical packs over 20 Drifters hits into a series of stand-alone songs and medleys. With audiences (politely) singing along, the whole show is akin to a celebratory concert. 

The opening medley sets the Drifters scene, but there’s also emotionally-charged renditions of chart-toppers: Tosh Wanogho-Maud’s performance of “Stand By Me” is simply spinetingling. Plus there’s all the endearing boyish charm you could wish for from Tarinn Callender as Johnny Moore and others, as well as Adam J. Bernard as George Treadwell and others and understudy Curtis Scott as Clyde McPhatter and others. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, *The Drifters Girl* choreography is reminiscent of *Jersey Boys*. Both musicals follow a singing foursome growing in popularity in 1960s America. But *Jersey Boys* centres on the artists. And just like the Drifters were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, the Drifters here ultimately serve as a backdrop — albeit a highly-skilled one — for Beverley Knight, a soulful master at work.

Walking onto stage to rapturous applause before she’d even said a word, Knight delivers the goods. Her lead numbers, "Nobody But Me" and "Harlem Child" showcase her swooping riffs and almost ethereal vocal abilities. The Act One closer, a mashup of “I Don’t Wanna Go On Without You / Stand By Me” is worth the ticket price alone. Thankfully, *The Drifters Girl* soundtrack is available to stream, so you can listen to it on repeat once you've left the auditorium.

*The Drifters Girl* boasts impressive design too thanks to Anthony Ward's clever set and Ben Cracknell's carefully-considered lighting transitions. Together, the pair complement each other in an accomplished fashion: in a few moments we're taken from a recording studio to theatres to meeting rooms. 

*The Drifters Girl* doesn't have many working parts. But what can happen with a cast of five and a few set and lighting pieces is truly remarkable. More importantly though with a jukebox musical like this, the audience walk away with their heads held high, singing their favourite hits. Only now, the audiences learn more about The Drifters' manager herself, Faye Treadwell.

[*The Drifters Girl is at the Garrick Theatre. Book The Drifters Girl tickets on London Theatre.*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/21273-the-drifters-girl)

*Photo credit: The Drifters Girl cast (Photo courtesy of production)*

'The Drifters Girl' review — Beverley Knight wows in a doo-wop musical celebration

Discover the remarkable story of The Drifters, one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, and the truth about the woman who made them.

The Garrick Theatre opened in 1889, and is named after actor David Garrick. When the theatre was built, architects discovered an underground river on the site!

The theatre became associated with comedy in 1982 with a four-year run of the farce *No Sex Please, We’re British*. This was the longest-running show at the Garrick, until J. B. Priestley’s *An Inspector Calls* transferred from the [Aldwych Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/aldwych-theatre) in 1995 and resided for six years.

In recent years, a number of musicals have played here, including *A Little Night Music*, *Chicago*, and *The Scottsboro Boys*. In 2015, [Kenneth Branagh](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/stars-on-stage/kenneth-branagh) took up residency at the Garrick for a year-long season of plays with his own theatre company. 

## Garrick Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels – Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle. In the Stalls, the view of the top of the stage is slightly obscured by the overhang of the Dress Circle from Row N onwards. 

In the Dress Circle, the view of the stage is not obscured by the overhang of the Upper Circle, but the ceiling can feeel low for those in the last row. The seats are designed in a horseshoe shape around the theatre and the Dress Circle offers good sightlines.

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Garrick Theatre

Sister Act: The Musical [19421]

Sister Act: The Musical

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[*Sister Act*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/19421-sister-act-the-musical) brings people together. There were people of all walks in the audience at the [Eventim Apollo](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/eventim-apollo) on Wednesday night for the show’s triumphant return to London. Drag queens. 1970s disco devotees. Celebrities. Nostalgic millennials. All of the above. Everyone loves *Sister Act* and it’s easy to see why.

The musical brings a new lens to the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg as a struggling 1970s nightclub singer who goes undercover as a nun after witnessing a murder. It’s a classic, jubilant story of the power of community and coming together set to rollicking music and full of humour and dancing. Watching the cast of *Sister Act* absolutely tear up the Eventim Apollo makes you wonder why the show ever left London? Well, the nuns are back, and they all are fabulous, baby. 

Beverley Knight is giving a performance as Dolores van Cartier that makes you think, “Whoopi Goldberg, who?” The role requires reinvention for the stage, and from her otherworldly vocals to her impeccable comedic timing, Knight absolutely redefines and becomes this iconic character. 

The entire cast is stacked, and each performance leaves you wishing there was a whole musical centered around each nun. Lizzie Bea is a bonafide star as the young Sister Mary Robert, and her Act 2 anthem “The Life I Never Led” had me in tears. Jennifer Saunders delivers her trademark comedy magic as Mother Superior, while Keala Settle’s Sister Mary Patrick hits all the punchlines and notes. 

Clive Rowe brings an earnestness to “Steady” Eddie, the cop investigating the case and Dolores’s old high school friend who’s still harbouring a crush. He brings down the house down with his all-out production number “I Could Be That Guy.” Every single person in the cast deserves a shoutout; there are just too many to list. And as a group, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s magical. 

Parts of the Bill Buckhurst-directed production get a little lost in the cavernous Eventim Apollo space. Designer Morgan Large’s set is a simple-yet-effective backdrop, and her costumes are bright, catchy, and appropriate to the time period and tone of the show. Tom Marshall’s sound design is booming and permeates the whole space — there are great acoustics in here, after all. And Tim Mitchell’s lighting makes you feel like you’re at a gospel concert. 

When the *Sister Act* film came out in 1992, this heartwarming story won over the hearts of audiences everywhere, and London audiences are going to fall in love with this gem of a show all over again. You’ll leave the theatre humming Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s fabulous score and ready to come back for more. If you see one show about singing nuns this summer, make it *Sister Act* at the Eventim Apollo. 

*Sister Act is at the Eventim Apollo to 28 August. Book Sister Act tickets on London Theatre.*

[![LT - CTA - 250](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1t6HRGmhlYl70k6PmR0mOZ/3caac861bc1d4233cd7844652c925623/LT-CTA-250.png)
](https://ticket.londontheatre.co.uk/booking/calendar?product_id=2069&content_product_id=2069&product_type=show&performance_type=M&venue_id=146)

*Photo credit: Beverley Knight and Jennifer Saunders in Sister Act (Photo by Manuel Harlan)*

'Sister Act' review — Raise your voice for this fabulous musical

Formerly known as the Hammersmith Apollo, the West London venue is one of London’s major live entertainment destinations. The building originally oppened as the Gaumont Palace cinema in 1931 with two shows: *A Night Like This* and *Bad Company.* The theatre was renamed the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962 and saw world-class performers on its stage: The Beatles and Bob Marley to name a couple.

After refurbishment, the theatre reopened as the Hammersmith Apollo in 1992 with a Michael Ball tour. The Eventim Apollo continues to host some of the finest live entertainers and Off-West End shows.

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Eventim Apollo

Kate Prince’s hip-hop take on the [Suffragettes](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/a-complete-guide-to-sylvia-starring-beverley-knight) has the cheer-worthy aim of ensuring we all understand how long and how hard these incredible women fought to secure our rights. In fact, it’s also been something of a battle to get this new work to the stage: originally a dance show, *[Sylvia](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/26524-sylvia)* was meant to premiere in 2018 as a musical, wound up semi-opening as a work-in-progress, and is now finally ready to bring us those “first steps of a revolution”.

As per the title, the focus is mainly on Sylvia, daughter of the almighty Emmeline Pankhurst. Unlike her more biddable older sister Christabel, Sylvia diverged from her mother’s approach: while Emmeline focussed on securing votes for women, an increasingly socialist Sylvia wanted to expand to the working-class. Emmeline grew militant when diplomacy failed; Sylvia grew more enamoured of pacifism.

It’s a fascinating dynamic, placing conflict over how to achieve change (so debating the merits of direct action, message discipline and intersectional solidarity – although, oddly, race is never mentioned) at the heart of a family. You could parallel that with any number of current issues, whether it’s environmental protest or Brexit dividing families.

Prince’s use of contemporary dialogue, music (Josh Cohen and DJ Walde's enjoyable mix of hip-hop, funk, soul and R&B) and infectiously fun, propulsive movement also helps bridge that gap. However, there’s a large elephant in the room, and its name is *[Hamilton](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/20561-hamilton-tickets)*, to which this inevitably invites comparisons.

But, while Lin-Manuel Miranda made very deliberate and thoughtful choices about paralleling his Founding Fathers with modern rappers, and where to deploy diverse casting (crucially, George III is played by a white actors), *Sylvia* feels conceptually muddled.

Prince (who co-wrote the book with Priya Parmar, and also directs and choreographs) has spoken about hip-hop culture being rooted in oppression. Yet all of its characters sound and move in the same way, whether the Suffragettes or their male opponents. In fact, the most dynamic performance comes from a “Braap!”-roaring, show-stealing Jade Hackett – as Winston Churchill’s fiercely anti-suffrage mother. So what are we meant to take from that? 

Churchill is also played by a black actor, but is a foppish, hen-pecked cartoon villain. The tone generally skews light-hearted, which makes the material engaging, but it’s challenging to switch tack for horrifying moments like the hunger-striking Suffragettes being force-fed in prison, or a vicious beating by the police (although Prince does find an expressive movement language for both). If we can’t take the opposition seriously, we’re in danger of underestimating our heroines. 

*Sylvia* also zips through the years, giving us little time to really dig into the lead characters’ lives and motivations. I wished we could have seen the Pankhursts interacting as a family, rather than just spouting slogans at one another, so we could feel the weight of what is sacrificed here – or that Christabel’s queerness could be characterised as more than just a potential PR problem. 

Charming though Alex Gaumond makes him, there’s too much time devoted to Sylvia’s romance with Labour Party founder Keir Hardie instead. It’s also a shame to see the argument weighted so heavily in Sylvia’s favour in the latter stages: she’s painted as a peace-loving, saintly martyr, adored by the working class (who we only actually meet briefly), while Emmeline becomes an elitist monster. 

And yet: one phenomenal number, in which Sylvia and Emmeline finally spill their fear, anger, resentment, desires and shared trauma, demonstrates what this show could be. With roof-raising vocals and diva riffs, [Beverley Knight](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/stars-on-stage/beverley-knight) shows how Emmeline’s courage, passion and determination is calcifying into dictatorial intransigence, while Sharon Rose’s Sylvia finally breaks free with a rush of innovative rapping. It’s emotionally revealing as well as a fraught political fight, and it’s given space to fully land.

That’s not the case elsewhere in a show that is often highly entertaining and inspiring, thanks to a committed company and creative elements like Andrzej Goulding’s lively video projections. Yet ultimately it feels overstuffed – too much telling, not enough dramatising. Prince might take a cue from the Suffragettes: “deeds, not words.”

*Sylvia is at the Old Vic through 1 April. Book Sylvia tickets on London Theatre.*

[![LT - CTA - 250](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1t6HRGmhlYl70k6PmR0mOZ/3caac861bc1d4233cd7844652c925623/LT-CTA-250.png)](https://ticket.londontheatre.co.uk/booking/calendar?product_id=26524&content_product_id=26524&venue_id=191)

*Photo credit: The cast of Sylvia at the Old Vic (Photo by Manuel Harlan)*

'Sylvia' review – Beverley Knight leads an inspiring but overstuffed hip-hop Suffragette musical 

Read our review of Beverley Knight in the hip-hop musical *Sylvia*, now playing at the Old Vic through 1 April. Get *Sylvia* tickets on London Theatre.

The Old Vic, originally named the Royal Coburg Theatre, was designed in 1818 by Rudolph Cabanel. Its name was later changed to the Royal Victoria Theatre, then the Royal Victoria Hall, before it took on its nickname of 'The Old Vic' as its official name in 1925. 

The Old Vic has housed acclaimed performances with such celebrated actors as John Gielgud’s *Hamlet*, Laurence Olivier’s *Macbeth* and *Othello* in 1937, and Judi Dench’s Juliet in *Romeo and Juliet*, which was privately performed for The Queen in 1957.

In 1963, the Old Vic became the home base of the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/national-theatre) of Great Britain during its formation under Laurence Olivier. The theatre continued to host the National Theatre until the move to South Bank in 1976. 

There are two entrances to the Old Vic: one on The Cut and the other on Waterloo Road, which is an accessible entrance. In 2019, 'Penny', an accessible basement cafe and bar was opened, offering drinks, sandwiches and snacks. 

## Old Vic Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels - Stalls, Dress Circle, and the Lilian Baylis Circle.

Despite the Dress Circle overhang, this doesn’t affect the view due to pillars. There is also a staggered rake that will be noticeable from row J to allow better viewing.

The Lilian Baylis Circle is high above the ground and overhangs the Dress Circle at row C meaning row E will miss the top of the stage. There are also standing seats available at the sides of this circle.

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Old Vic

Suitable for 12+. Children under the age of 5 cannot be admitted to the theatre. Children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult (at least 1 adult per 10 children). All patrons, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.

Sister Act - LON [28926]

Sister Act

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Based on the beloved film, this story of music, mishaps and nuns on the run is a joyous and uplifting tale of finding your voice and singing out, with your sisters by your side.

Read all about soul superstar Beverley Knight and her latest London theatre shows at LondonTheatre.co.uk

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