Sylvia Review: new hip-hop musical defines the suffragette manifesto
29 September 2026 | 19:00 | Curve Theatre, Leicester (UK Tour)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
Audiences first fell in love with the new hip-hop musical Sylvia when it opened at London's Old Vic Theatre for a premiere run in 2023. And tonight, Kate Prince's (of ZooNation) award-winning production comes to the Curve Theatre, Leicester ahead of a limited UK Tour. Often compared in style to Hamilton, we follow the inspiring story of the Pankhurst family at the height of the Suffragette movement.
The history books remember Emmeline Pankhurst in greater detail, as Beverley Knight MBE returns after winning the Best Supporting Actress Olivier Award for the same role. But what about her middle daughter Sylvia Pankhurst (played by rising talent Naomi Katiyo)? While Sylvia's mother and sisters campaign for women's rights, she fought for the impoverished women (and men) of Britain, risking it all to change the lives of millions.
Led with colour-conscious casting (Stuart Burt CDG CSA), the show addresses the racial imbalance of period theatre, acting as 'an artistic response to oppression' (Kate Prince). This is supported by Josh Cohen and D.J. Walde's punchy score which champions Black musical roots in funk, hip-hop and soul. Almost the entirety is underscored by music, but instead of constant song, dialogue is written in verse. Even the most mundane of conversations have a rhythm to them.
After tonight, we expect that everyone is shouting Naomi Katiyo's name! Sylvia Pankhurst requires an emotionally demanding performance, as Katiyo endures this with staggering skill. Perfect enunciation in every scene, and real beauty in her compassion. It also comes as no surprise that Beverley Knight MBE delivers effortless vocal work as Emmeline, in a clearly well-researched portrayal of a matriarch with great authority. And following her lead in March Women March, expect a very long applause, as tonight's themes evidently connect with audiences.
Ben Stones' design forms a powerful visual language which begins in monochromatic lifelessness. Costume making a strong impression in showing political divide: Winston Churchill's (Castell Parker) followers enter in top hats and sharp-cut blazers to create an imposing shape. Whereas Tachia Newall's valiant Keir Hardie dons red socks and a scarf as the leader of the Labour party, symbolising hope. This red bleeds into the video and lighting design as Sylvia fronts her own social movement. Emmeline remains in a conservative black dress as a demonstration of being stuck in her harmful, militant politics.
With a running time of approximately 2hrs 50m, the show does unfortunately begin to feel its length. This is largely due to Act One's uninspiring lyrical journey. We all know the basic legacy of the Pankhurst family in 'fighting for women's rights', as the first act of 1hr 15m gets stuck in a frustrating loop of almost every musical number repeating this notion of feminist protest. Kate Prince's bombastic choreography does help to lift its physical intention, and interludes of satire paint Churchill's sexist policies with a childish attitude.
In contrast, Act Two is the stronger half, if still slightly too long at 1hr 15m again, as we finally begin to learn of Sylvia's story in championing working-class communities and women through the war. Additionally, the book both honours the life of Emily Davison (Ebony Clarke) and her Epsom Derby martyrdom, while engaging the debate of using her death as a publicity stunt. Suffrajitsu opens the act with great vigour, further observing violence in political activism.
Audiences see the entire Pankhurst family, including eldest sister Christabel (Ellena Vincent), youngest sister Adela (Kirstie Skivington) and Sylvia's brother Harry (Uzuazo O'David). O'David's character brings light laughs in the opening, as Emmeline treats him as invisible and 'seen but not heard', flipping the pre-war expectations that would have been placed on a daughter.
Cycling through the years of the early 20th-century, Sylvia makes a substantial and stylistically thrilling mark on women's history. Featuring a live onstage band (musical director Sean Green), its hip-hop musicality is grounded and fresh. With a little more condensing of the material, Sylvia has the potential for international success, and we get the chance to witness history emerging before us.
Sylvia plays at the Curve Theatre, Leicester until October 3rd, before completing a short UK Tour with performances at London's Royal Albert Hall: https://sylviamusicaluk.com/#tour-dates
