Marie and Rosetta
God don’t want the Devil to have all the good music right?
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. Joining Beverley Knight is Ntombizodwa Ndlovu as Marie Knight. Her recent theatre credits include Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, The Space Between Us, Mixtape, Nothing, and The Mountain Top (Royal Exchange Theatre).
Reviews
★★★★★ “Marie & Rosetta is a constant joy to watch. Heartfelt and moving, it carries with it themes of sisterhood, legacy and the power of music. The result is a stunning watch that is a celebration of both music and theatre.'‘
★★★★★ “Monique Touko has directed George Brant’s play with great respect and sensitivity that ensures that the audience is swept into Marie and Rosetta’s world effectively and intimately. Touko really leans into the writing, having enough confidence in it to not do anything too over the top and really brings out the best in both performances. The production is a powerful celebration of two talented singers who deserve to be more widely recognised.
★★★★★ “Monique Touko’s direction leans into the writing. The use of the stool and guitar case as guides into the world of Marie and Rosetta’s individual musical ability was inspired.”
★★★★ “This intimate two-hander, directed by Monique Touko, deftly balances humour, heart, and history.”