Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Chichester Festival Theatre, in association with Nica Burns, have announced the West End premiere of the Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and ETT’s acclaimed production of Marie and Rosetta, written by George Brant and directed by Monique Touko. The production will play a strictly limited season at @sohoplace from 28 February – 11 April 2026, with press night on Friday 6 March at 7.30pm.

Reprising their celebrated roles are multi-award-winning singer and actress Beverley Knight as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, making her West End debut as Marie Knight.

Beverley Knight said:

“Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her legacy had long been overlooked in music history. She deserves her place as one of the architects of rock ‘n’ roll, a Gospel singing, guitar shredding heroine who helped to shape popular music as we know it today. I’m so proud that we get to tell her story and that of her co-collaborator Marie Knight, played by the incredibly talented Ntombizodwa Ndlovu who makes her debut in the West End. She is a star in the making!”

Known as the ‘godmother of rock ’n’ roll’, Sister Rosetta Tharpe influenced artists from Elvis to Johnny Cash. Marie and Rosetta is an intimate portrait of Rosetta and her musical partner Marie Knight, restoring them to their rightful place as trailblazers in music history. Set in 1946 Mississippi, the play follows Rosetta as she persuades the saintly young Marie to join her on tour through the segregated South, teaching her how to add a little swing to her Sunday sound.

The show features a wealth of gospel and rock hits, including Didn’t It Rain and Peace in the Valley, with live musicians accompanying Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu.

The creative team includes Jodie-Simone Howe (costume design), Kloé Dean (movement direction), Tony Gayle (sound design), Bethan Clark (intimacy direction), Joel Trill (voice & dialect coach), Jordi M. Carter (associate director) and Shirley Teteh (musical director and guitar).

Jonathan Church said:

“As the lights went down on the Rose Theatre’s premiere of this extraordinary show in Kingston, I witnessed something incredibly special. A dazzling experience that combines the joyous quality of a musical with the depth of a great play. To bring Monique Touko’s exquisite production to the equally exquisite @sohoplace feels like a match made in heaven.”

Nica Burns added:

“Two amazing actresses with spine-tingling voices, singing some of the greatest rock and roll songs, in the intimate auditorium of @sohoplace. Beverley Knight and newcomer Ntombizodwa Ndlovu will give us performances to remember – brilliant alone, and sensational together. It’s only a 7-week season, so book quickly, you won’t want to miss out.”

Marie and Rosetta is presented by Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Chichester Festival Theatre, in association with Nica Burns.

Tickets are on sale now at www.sohoplace.org