Beverley Knight reveals key advice she got from David Bowie – and why she had to play legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe

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As someone who’s been completely immersed in music and performance my whole life, let me tell you, Beverley Knight is a true icon. She’s been a powerhouse in British R&B, soul, and theatre for over three decades – it’s honestly hard to think of anyone more deeply connected to the industry. She’s been the sound of British soul for a long time, and her influence is undeniable.

Even Beverley Knight, often called the “queen of British soul,” didn’t realize the incredible impact of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the musician she’s about to portray in a West End play.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a groundbreaking American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She’s celebrated as the “Godmother of rock and roll” and was the first prominent female electric guitarist in the genre. Starting in the 1930s, she uniquely blended gospel music with electric guitar, paving the way for rock and roll as we know it.

So why haven’t we heard of her? Knight called it a “huge shame”.

She told TopMob that she first met the artist through Jools Holland, and she regretted only recently realizing how talented and significant she was to the history of rock and roll. As a music lover, she felt she’d missed out on appreciating her sooner.

As someone who considers herself well-versed in music, I realized if I wasn’t familiar with Rosetta Tharpe’s career, most people probably weren’t either. So, when I was offered the chance to portray her, I immediately accepted.

This spring, Knight will star as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in a limited engagement of Marie & Rosetta at @sohoplace. She’ll be performing with Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, who is making her West End debut as Marie Knight, in this two-person show.

Knight explained that portraying a significant historical figure requires your absolute best performance. While actors always strive to deliver their best on stage, there’s an added responsibility when playing someone who actually lived and achieved great things – you have to be particularly sensitive and respectful.

I was thrilled to take on the role of this important woman. It was a fantastic challenge, and I prepared extensively through research and careful study.

Knight is well-known for portraying historically significant figures – she recently won an Olivier Award in 2023 for her role as Emmeline Pankhurst in the musical Sylvia.

She shared a piece of advice she received long before becoming an actress: David Bowie encouraged her to embrace her true self and not be afraid to take risks.

He was absolutely right – I do my best work when I’m allowed to be creative and follow my own instincts. Thanks, Uncle D!

Marie & Rosetta is hitting the West End stage for a limited run this spring.

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When and where can I see Marie & Rosetta?

You can catch Marie & Rosetta at @sohoplace for a limited time, from February 28th to April 11th, 2026.

The venue is conveniently located near Tottenham Court Road station, and it’s also within walking distance of Leicester Square. You can easily get there using the Northern, Elizabeth, Central, or Piccadilly line.

Tickets are available at London Theatre Direct starting from £37.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-02-12 16:35