Currently out on a mini-tour around the UK, Marie & Rosetta tells the story of the godmother of rock and roll, as she tries to convert her new singing partner, Marie Knight, to a less 'pure' church sound!
Marie & Rosetta is a double header with Wolverhampton's greatest export, Beverley Knight taking to the stage alongside Ntombizodwa Ndlovu in a 'sparkling, intimate portrait' of Rosetta and her beloved singing partner, Marie Knight.
Set in Mississippi in 1946, Sister Rosetta has changed the face of gospel music with her exuberant, electric guitar-playing style. However, at the same time she has shunned by strait-laced church folk for glorifying rhythm and blues. She’s managed to persuade a saintly young singer named Marie to join her on a tour of the segregated southern states...but first she has to give her a little more swing!
To say this show is a masterpiece would be incredibly understated.
What we are presented with is just under two hours of pure perfection which see's neither performer leave the stage, nor have chance to pause for breath as they deliver line after line and song after song in a beautifully written and exceptionally directed piece of theatre.
Ndlovu shines as Marie Knight, with a strong singing voice, brilliant characterisation and a charm and charisma which more than matches that of her on-stage partner. Having only graduated four years ago, her talent is exceptional and its clear to see there's a stellar career ahead of her.
Then we come to Knight who, quite simply, is sublime. Her on-stage presence is compelling and her command of the audience is second to none. Granted she has a home crowd this week, but in many ways that's more of a risk for a performer. For many around the world, she's a multi-award winning performer but round here she's Bev from Wolverhampton - but she more than satisfied the audience from the moment the lights went down.
Her acting is top notch but her vocal ability is world class. Her effortless renditions of Tharpe's back catalogue, many with a soulful upgrade, were so well received that each could have spawned its own standing ovation.
However, what is truly special here is Knight and Ndlovu's chemistry on stage. Each is a phenomenal talent but the duo are at their best singing together. They bounce off each other so well you can tell they're great friends - but more importantly, you can see that Tharpe and Knight live on in these two incredible women.
I feel incredibly lucky to have seen this show - firstly because Wolverhampton is the second of just three stops on the tour, but also because this is a story beautifully told, with an ending that I'm still processing but a story arc which was beautifully portrayed.
Marie and Rosetta plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 31st May 2025. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk.
