PLAY REVIEW: MARIE & ROSETTA

Yesterday I had the privilege of going to see the play ‘Marie & Rosetta’ starring the incomparable Beverley Knight as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the shining Ntombizodwa Ndvolu as Marie Knight, written by George Brant and directed by Monique Tuoko @sohoplace Theatre.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe is a hugely influential figure and has been referred to as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll”. She was innovative – a brilliant musician and artist who was highly skilled at playing the electric guitar. In my view, she blended the spirit soaring melodies and lyrics of gospel music with the raw grit and honesty of Rock and Roll. Marie Knight is a gospel singer and brilliant pianist who Sister Rosetta Tharpe picked to perform with her. This play centres on and charts their relationship. There is an introduction which is followed by revelations, wisdom sharing, creative differences, ideas being challenged and ultimately a deep friendship and sisterhood that appears to last for eternity despite tragedy.

I could write in detail about structure or staging or characterisation, but what I really want to comment on is the theme of intergenerational sisterhood which runs strongly throughout this two-woman conversation which takes place on a circular stage that the audience is lucky to witness. These ladies completely embodied Marie and Rosetta. Beverley Knight’s gait, accent, mannerisms and searingly confident assertions about womanhood and self-worth and Ntombizodwa Ndvolu’s enthusiasm and inquisitiveness meant these ladies transformed into the roles of ‘seasoned, experienced woman’ and ‘younger woman’ who is beginning her life journey to self-actualisation. This play explores issues and themes of womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood, sexism, domestic violence and the evil of racism.

Intergenerational Sisterhood:

In this play, I witnessed the magical power of intergenerational sisterhood. One character lifts the other up with determined and confident declarations about self-worth that have been built through life experiences. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is a woman who has a firm sense of self, who has built herself brick by brick through the wisdom of her mother before her and through the world’s failed attempts to stamp out her light. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is full of wisdom and mentors the younger Marie, providing her advice on everything from stewarding your gifts to relationships to the challenge many women face of balancing motherhood with personal development or career ambitions. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is also lifted up each time she shares and imparts knowledge. Wisdom sharing leads to a re-declaration of knowledge, sharing of life lessons learned, the manifesto of empowerment and the importance of forgiveness over judgement. Sister Rosetta Tharpe lovingly but firmly asserts her boundaries.

In turn, Marie receives wisdom and is empowered through knowledge and questioning, sharpening her own mind. Marie does not just passively receive wisdom; she is an active participant. She questions and challenges and is challenged. Her world view is broadened, and she steps more and more into her own womanhood and confidence.

I loved that Sister Rosetta Tharpe was deeply secure in who she was. It takes a lot of strength of character to see another woman’s shine as an opportunity for collaboration or mentoring and not competition. In my view, patriarchal values have meant that many women, including more mature and younger generations are pitted against each other, as though we are supposed to compete instead of joining hands in sacred intergenerational sisterhood. Sister Rosetta Tharpe did not want Marie to sing backup. She did not want Marie to stand in the shadows, was never in competition with her and never put her down. No – Sister Marie Tharpe wanted Marie to sing alongside her, to shine alongside her. And shine they both certainly did. Their shine was given life by Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndvolu’s outstanding voices. The audience couldn’t help but joyfully clap along as these two incredibly talented women sang.

Intergenerational sisterhood is a beautiful and special gift as we as women of all ages can learn from each other and grow. The love, care, advice and wisdom passed from women to women, particularly from more mature to younger generations can be magnificently life changing. Every woman (if they wish) has a story to share, an account, a testimony of their life experience that is valuable and valid. In my view, every time any woman shares a kindness to another woman, particularly a younger woman, she is passing on a piece of herself, a piece of magic and wisdom to the younger generations and that is a deep act of mothering, a deep act of intergenerational sisterhood.

Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Women’s History Month.

Please check out my novel, Sciliconia here and information about my public speaking availability here

© Afia Nicholas, 15^th March 2026