Sylvia Tickets

Estelle Sylvia Pankhurst spent a lifetime campaigning for the rights of women and other disadvantaged people. The daughter of the legendary Emmeline Pankhurst, who founded the Women's Social and Political Union, she was a respected communist and anti-fascist activist. She died in Addis Ababa in 1960 after a full and rebellious life. Her story is told on stage via powerful hip hop, funk and soul.

What's the plot of Sylvia?

'Be the change that you want to see - Be the change for you and me'

This is the story of a genuine revolutionary. It celebrates the remarkable life of Sylvia Pankhurst, who was a feminist, activist, pacifist, socialist, and lifetime rebel. She may have been the lesser-known Pankhurst but she played a vital part at the heart of the Suffragette movement, ultimately changing the lives of working women and men across the world.

Sylvia was Emmeline Pankhurst’s second daughter. Emmeline was the founder of the Women's Social & Political Union, which took to the streets from 1903 campaigning for the vote for women. The Suffragettes, as they were soon named, were the most militant group campaigning to get women the vote, and Sylvia was an early force in the campaign.

Following its respected 2018 run as a work-in-progress, Kate Prince's fantastic exploration of Sylvia’s life is back in London for its world premiere at the West End’s Old Vic Theatre. The show brings together dance, and music to reveal an unforgettable period in feminist history, highlighted by brilliant original tunes from Josh Cohen and DJ Walde.

This is an Old Vic and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company production, in association with Sadler's Wells and co-commissioned by 14–18 NOW, the UK's arts programme for the First World War centenary. It’s being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, and the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport.

The cast comprises Beverley Knight as Emmeline Pankhurst plus Kelly Agbowu, Verity Blyth, Kimmy Edwards, Alex Gaumond, Jade Hackett, Todd Holdsworth, Stevie Hutchinson, Kate Ivory Jordan, Hannah Khemoh, Jaye Marshall, Razak Osman, Jay Perry, Sharon Rose, Kirstie Skivington and Ellena Vincent. The creative team includes authors Kate Prince and Priya Parmar, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, designer Ben Stones, and lighting expert Natasha Chivers. Clement Rawling does the Sound and Josh McKenzie is the Band Leader. Michael Henry handles the vocal arrangements.

Sylvia is funny and deeply poignant, revealing the best-known events in suffragette history – the bombs, the arson, Emily Wilding Davison throwing herself under the King’s horse and more - while telling the thrilling story of the Pankhurst family itself.

Who is Sylvia for?

Sylvia works for anyone who is mature enough to appreciate her lifelong struggle to make the world a better place for everyone.

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