Beverley Knight to Craft New Melodies Following Successful Hometown Performance

Soul sensation Beverley Knight has announced her plans to record new music, drawing inspiration from the blues and gospel influences of her current theatrical role. This news comes as she graces the stage in her Wolverhampton hometown for the first time in 40 years, starring in the production of Marie & Rosetta at the Grand Theatre.

Knight, renowned as one of Britain’s leading soul vocalists, expressed her pride in portraying Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the groundbreaking gospel and blues artist often hailed as a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll. In an interview with BBC Radio WM, she hinted at her upcoming music, saying, “expect to hear some really bluesy vocals, some earthy sounds,” which she aims to record shortly after her Wolverhampton engagement wraps up, just before beginning rehearsals with Gary Barlow of Take That.

Describing her musical style as “always a hybrid,” Knight emphasized how significantly the “blues and that kind of sound” from Marie & Rosetta has influenced her work. She also mentioned the modern blues fusion she found in the film Sinners, stating, “I’ve just been living for it,” although a release date for her new music remains unannounced.

Marie & Rosetta transports audiences to Mississippi in 1946, exploring the relationship between Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé, Marie Knight, portrayed by Ntombizodwa Ndlovu. For Knight, this role is a personal connection, as she noted, “It’s right up my street… the gospel, of course, I was born into that whole tradition myself.” She also stressed Tharpe’s iconic status and her essential role in the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll.

Returning to the Grand Theatre after four decades—her last performance being in West Side Story—has been a heartfelt homecoming for Knight. She shared her joy at being back in her childhood bedroom and fondly recalled finding peace in Bantock Park, her “favourite place… just to zone out and chill.”

Marie & Rosetta runs at the Grand Theatre until Saturday, offering audiences a chance to witness one of the UK’s most extraordinary vocal talents in a role that clearly inspires her artistry.