Sylvia A Musical Revolution at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh*****

Back at the beginning of the 20th century women were putting themselves on the line, in prison, or even being killed so that they might have equal rights.

Emmeline Pankhurst was the most famous campaigner of them all, fighting for women to get the vote. But it was her middle daughter, Sylvia, who fought for equal rights for all people, for working men as well.

It was a battle which divided the two women and Sylvia A Musical Revolution tells the story of their struggle and why, today, we shouldn’t take for granted the rights they fought for us to have. Sadly, it also highlights how we’ve regressed, with people now losing their rights to protest against poverty and a reasonable standard of living. 

It’s a compelling production which should be seen by everyone in power, and those of us who sometimes don’t even bother to use our votes!

And what a show! Beverley Knight won an Olivier Award for her role as Emmeline Pankhurst in 2023, and I’m not surprised. What a voice! What a pair of lungs! She’s a complete powerhouse, commanding the stage with star quality. Just being in the same theatre as her felt like a privilege.

But the show is named after Pankhurst’s daughter, and though singing softly at the start Naomi Katiyo more than lives up to her co-starring role with a passion which befits the character she is playing, belting out some of the best songs with unfettered emotion.

The talented cast is largely black and I wonder if this is intentional because they have had to and still have to fight for basic rights. Whatever, they bring this piece of history to life with an explosion of hip hop, funk and soul, dynamic songs and visually stunning choreography (which can also be said for Ben Stones atmospheric set and costumes, Natasha Chivers and Hector Murray’s lighting and Andrzej Goulding’s background videos). Congratulations too to Kate Prince, who was not only the director and choreographer, she also wrote the lyrics, co-wrote the book with Priya Parmar, and provided additional music alongside that rousing compositions from Josh Cohen and DJ Walde.

After watching this exciting and motivational piece of theatre, if the members of the company were ever to campaign for anything at all I’d wholeheartedly support them!

Image: Tristam Kenton

Sylvia The Musical is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until Oct 17.

capitaltheatres.com

It then continues touring:

Oct 19-24: Lowry Salford

Oct 27-31: Norwich Theatre Royal

Nov 2-7: The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury

Nov 13-15: Royal Albert Hall London