Review: MARIE & ROSETTA @SohoPlace

Stuart King 8 March, 2026, 10:09

The strait-laced Mississippi evangelicals didn't take kindly to Rosetta Tharpe, the woman who took gospel music and turned it on its head with hitherto unseen and unheard vocals and guitar playing. She subsequently became known as the Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll, recognised for having been an influence on the development and playing of musicians like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and just about every nameable gospel, rhythm and blues and early rock 'n' roll star.

Beverley Knight (Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Marie Knight) in Marie and Rosetta at @sohoplace. credit Johan Persson.

Born in 1915 to Arkansas cotton pickers, Rosetta was singing in front of church congregations and bouncing her hips long before her mother moved them to Chicago in the mid-1920s. A decade later she cut the Decca label's first gospel record, becoming a sensation which led to her performing with Cab Calloway at the Cotton Club and at venues like Carnegie Hall. When she spotted a nervous but obviously talented young Marie Knight performing among the back-up artists for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, she felt an instinctive attraction coupled with a desire to fuse their talents. That moment in music history gives rise to MARIE & ROSETTA which has just transferred to SohoPlace where it continues until 11th April.

In the show, played in the round on a set by Lily Arnold with lighting design by Matt Haskins, we eavesdrop on Sister Rosetta (Beverley Knight) and Marie Knight (Ntombizodwa Ndlovu) while they hunker down at the funeral parlour where they are to spend their first night on the road as they begin a tour of the southern states. Marie is initially prim and true to her church upbringing, but it soon transpires that she is married with two children and not the innocent young gal Rosetta mistook her for. As their reverence for each other's god-given talents becomes undeniable, they work through material which will form the roster of songs that backbone their tours together over the next 3 years.

The show written by George Brant and directed by Monique Touko benefits hugely from the contribution of the live band members (Shirley Tetteh, Mia Odeleye, Genevieve Namazzi and Ishara Andrews) who are ranged around the edge of the playing area. Over a dozen songs are delivered with a mix of spirituality and pure, uplifting, power and energy. The numbers include: This Train, Didn't It Rain, I Want A Tall Skinny Papa, the astounding Up Above My Head and Peace In The Valley.

Due to tragedy, the pair who had shared a home together went their separate ways, but when Rosetta died at the age of 58, Marie travelled to Philadelphia to help arrange the funeral. Although initially buried in an unmarked grave, the headstone which was later erected for Rosetta Tharpe, bears the words “She would sing until you cried, and then she would sing until you danced for joy. She kept the church alive and the saints rejoicing.” If this doesn't encourage you to go and scour the internet for clips and recordings, then nothing will. Better still, go and watch two performers at the top of their game, paying homage to these extraordinary women.

The show runs for 2 hours with a 15 min interval.

Marie & Rosetta Tickets