Marie and Rosetta at Rose Theatre in Kingston Review
Ntombizodwa Ndlovu and Beverley Knight in Marie and Rosetta. Photo by Marc Brenner
Written by Philip for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Taking us way back to 1946, George Brant’s play, Marie and Rosetta lands at the beginning of the journey. A journey of love, sisterhood and at its core, music. Together, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her ‘little sister’ Marie Knight revolutionised the music industry with Tharpe being named as an influence for music icons like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Little Richard. In a funeral parlour in Mississippi, we find our own music icon Sister Rosetta Tharpe trying to convince the young and unknown, Marie Knight, to be ‘less church’ and ‘more swing’ and join her on a tour of the segregated southern states of America..
Rosetta is, by this point in her journey, already a hell raiser. She has taken gospel music and turned it on its head. From the churches to the nightclubs, all while adding groove. The churchgoers have turned their backs, but there are fans aplenty of her glorious music. She decides to take a chance on young Marie when she hears her as part of a quartet. She believes she is something special. Over the next 90 minutes, we watch their connection, their spark, their bond grow and ignite from embers to huge flames. They rehearse for an upcoming gig that very evening. They become acquainted, both regaling stories and surprises. Each is more personal than before. With every great rehearsal, they also sing! Boy, do they sing. They unleash their heavenly voices as loud and proud as they can. It is incredible to witness. A friendship and a partnership are being built in front of your eyes.
Brant’s clever writing leaves you yearning to know more. You want to know the characters and their lives. You feel every ounce of joy and every shred of pain. Monique Touko’s direction leans into the writing. The use of the stool and guitar case as guides into the world of Marie and Rosetta’s individual musical ability was inspired. Touko made sure there were strong connections. To their instruments, and more importantly, to each other. The music is such a big part of the story. It drives the friendship and drives the emotion. It bonds everyone in life, and that is no different for Marie and Rosetta. The live band that played this incredible music were simply exquisite. They had everyone tapping and clapping along. Pulling everyone along for the ride. Brant and Touko clearly share the same vision and work incredibly well as a two, just like our leading ladies.
Let me start by saying Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu are powerhouse performers. They share so much love and respect for each other on stage that the chemistry is magic. The vocals were off the charts. The power and agility on display is practically cosmic. Their voices blend and harmonise perfectly. Knight’s Rosetta is strong and fierce. A force to be reckoned with. She also bestows a sweet, nurturing side to Rosetta, which balances out the power. Ndlovu as Marie on the other hand, starts as sweet and meek and mild and grows in confidence as the story rumbles on. Ndlovu is focused and warm. The energy that both Knight and Ndlovu bring is electric. I’ve mentioned partnership and connection a lot in this review, but yet again I commend the partnership these two performers create live on stage. They bring so much star quality to an already brilliant play.
It is not often that any performance appears faultless but this one tonight seemed just that. Whether I was swept up in the music, the performances, the storytelling or a combination, I’m not sure. But I do know that Marie and Rosetta is a fantastic night full of heart and soul. A pure celebration of a pair of trailblazers who changed the landscape of gospel, rhythm and blues. Thankfully, it is playing a few venues in its current format. Grab a ticket while you can as they most definitely won’t be around long.
at Rose Theatre Kingston until 24th May
★★★★★
