New trailer shows Beverley Knight in full voice ahead of return to West Midlands in hard-hitting Suffragette musical

Brand-new artwork and a trailer have been released for Sylvia, the Olivier-nominated musical production, ahead of its highly anticipated return this Autumn.

Beverley Knight reprises her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst, alongside Sharon Rose as Sylvia in a UK tour culminating in a run at the Royal Albert Hall this Autumn.

Sylvia tells the untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst, who takes centre stage in a hip hop, funk and soul musical that moves your feet and fires your spirit. 

Whilst her mother and sister battled for women's suffrage, Sylvia ignited a revolution for the forgotten: working women, the impoverished, the silenced. 

Caught between her family and her beliefs, Sylvia risked it all to bring change to millions.

Following its sellout world premiere production at The Old Vic in 2023, Sylvia will feature at Birmingham Hippodrome between October 6 and October 10 and in other venues across the country, before heading into the Royal Albert Hall from November 13 to 15, supported by a grant from the Arts Council Incentivising Touring scheme.

A spokesman for the production said: "The Olivier Award-winning electrifying musical is fuelled by an irresistible soundtrack by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde that joyously unites hip hop, funk, and soul, and is brought to life by world-renowned choreographer and storyteller Kate Prince.

"The full creative team includes: Kate Prince (Book and Lyrics, Director and Choreographer), Priya Parmar (Book), Josh Cohen and DJ Walde (Music), Ben Stones (Set and Costume), Natasha Chivers (Lighting), Tony Gayle (Sound), Andrzej Goulding (Video and Animation), Cynthia De La Rosa (Wigs, Hair and Make-up), Lolita Chakrabarti (Dramaturgy) and Sean Green (Music Supervisor)."

Wolverhampton born Beverley Knight has forged a formidable career in theatre. Her West End debut was the starring role in The Bodyguard followed by leading the Tony winning Memphis The Musical. 

At the request of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber she joined the cast of Cats, playing the iconic role of Grizabella. 2021 saw Beverley lead The Drifters Girl (Olivier nominated Best New Musical) as the formidable manager of soul group The Drifters.

Her role as Emmeline Pankhurst in The Old Vic’s production of Sylvia in 2023, garnered her both huge acclaim and her first Olivier Award win. 

Showing her versatility and comedic skill, Beverley starred as Deloris Van Cartier opposite Jennifer Saunders in the revival of Sister Act in Hammersmith Apollo’s highest grossing show ever in the venue. 

In 2024, Beverley reprised her role as Deloris Van Cartier opposite Ruth Jones at the Dominion. Most recently, Beverley featured as the Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe in her first professional theatre play Marie and Rosetta which will be returning to stage at Soho Place on the West End starting February 2026.

To find out more and to order tickets, go to the Birmingham Hippodrome website.