Discover how Sylvia Pankhurst revolutionised the suffragette movement in Sylvia at the Old Vic.
Although the hip-hop musical focuses on Sylvia Pankhurst, the queen of British soul Beverley Knight plays Sylvia’s mother Emmelline Pankhurst. Knight’s no stranger to originating roles in West End musicals — she recently played Faye Treadwell in The Drifters Girl and earned an Olivier Award nomination. Now, she’ll star in an equally-spirited musical, following women who use their voice to demand change.
It’s 1918. For the first time in history, women in Britain were able to vote. Over a century later, Sylvia sheds new light on the remarkable story of Sylvia Pankhurst and her courageous decisions in campaigning for women’s suffrage.
Sylvia Pankhurst advocated for women’s votes alongside her mother Emmeline and sister Christabel, but later fell out with her family over her dislike of increasing violence used by the Women’s Social and Political Union.
Beverley Knight won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Sylvia also picked up Olivier nominations for Best New Musical, and Best Choreographer (Kate Prince).
Discover how Sylvia Pankhurst changed the lives of working women and men around the world, set to a revelatory dance, hip hop, soul, and funk score.
Be part of the moment.
Beverley Knight will not perform on: Mon 27–Tue 28 Feb, Mon 6–Tue 7 Mar, Mon 13–Tue 14 Mar, All performances from Mon 20–Tue 28 Mar
Access Performances
Captioned: Fri 3 Mar 7:30pm
Audio Described: Thu 9 Mar 7.30pm
BSL Interpreted: Wed 15 March 7.30pm
Relaxed performance: Sat 01 April 2.30pm
When Sylvia premiered at the Old Vic in 2018, the show marked 100 years of women’s suffrage. The musical also supported the Mayor of London’s #BehindEveryGreatCity initiative — a campaign that showcased London's role in gender equality.
At first, Sylvia was commissioned as a dance show. Five years later, Sylvia is now a fully-fledged musical. This contemporary retelling of Sylvia Pankhurst’s story delivers a modern twist on the story of the fight for women’s votes. Listen out for the a cappela chorus speaking words of female solidarity.
2 hours 30 mins (incl. interval)
January 27th, 2023
April 8th, 2023
Musicals
Old Vic
10+. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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