Rehearsal photographs have been released for Sylvia: A Musical Revolution, the Olivier-nominated hip hop, funk and soul musical that charts the life of suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. The production opens its UK tour at Curve Leicester on 24 September 2026, before concluding with five performances at the Royal Albert Hall between 13 and 15 November.

Beverley Knight MBE reprises her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst, the formidable leader of the Women’s Social and Political Union. Joining her is Naomi Katiyo — known for her work in Hamilton and Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical — who takes the title role of Sylvia Pankhurst, Emmeline’s rebellious and idealistic middle daughter. The musical focuses on Sylvia’s efforts to extend the suffrage movement beyond the middle classes to champion working women, the poor and the marginalised, placing her in direct conflict with her own family.

The production is brought to the stage by Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions and PW Productions, in association with Rupert Gavin/Mallory Factor, Curve Leicester and Beverley Knight, presenting The Old Vic and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company in association with Sadler’s Wells. It is supported by a repayable grant from Arts Council England’s Incentivising Touring scheme, a pilot programme designed to encourage larger-scale productions to reach regional venues across the country.

A Stellar Cast and Creative Team

The full cast is extensive and draws on considerable West End and touring talent. Kelly Agbowu plays Mrs Flora ‘The General’ Drummond and Betty Savoy, while Ellena Vincent portrays Christabel Pankhurst and Kirstie Skivington takes the role of Adela Pankhurst. Solomon Davy appears as both Prime Minister Asquith and Richard Pankhurst, with Ebony Clarke playing the iconic Emily Davison. Ivano Turco portrays Silvio Corio and Sir Almroth Wright, and Tachia Newall takes on Keir Hardie and Lord Cromer, among others. Lauren Azania serves as Alternate Sylvia.

The creative team is led by director, choreographer and lyricist Kate Prince of ZooNation, who co-wrote the book with novelist Priya Parmar. The score, blending hip hop, funk and soul, was composed by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde. The album Sylvia – The Essentials, featuring 14 selected tracks produced by Grammy Award-winner Martin Terefe, is available now on all major streaming platforms. Ben Stones designed the set and costumes, with lighting by Natasha Chivers and Hector Murray, sound by Tony Gayle, and video and animation by Andrzej Goulding. Lolita Chakrabarti serves as dramaturg.

The show had its sellout world premiere at The Old Vic in 2023, earning an Olivier Award nomination and widespread critical acclaim for its energetic reimagining of the suffragette story through contemporary dance styles.

The Royal Albert Hall: A Venue Steeped in Suffragette History

The choice of the Royal Albert Hall as the tour’s closing venue carries particular historical resonance. Between 1908 and 1913, the Hall hosted nearly thirty events connected to the campaign for women’s suffrage, drawing enormous crowds — often composed almost entirely of women — with hundreds more turned away at the doors. The Hall was affectionately known among suffragettes as a