“Powerhouse performances, fearless female characters, and a truly gripping storyline – Make Some Noise for the incredible production of Sylvia.”
Bringing the story of one of Britain’s most determined campaigners to the stage, Sylvia is an energetic, powerful and heart-warming musical that explores both the life and the legacy of Sylvia Pankhurst.
Directed and choreographed by the incredibly talented Kate Prince, the show tells the story of Sylvia, the daughter of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, and her journey to not only fight for women’s rights, but also the rights of the working-class communities and those living in poverty. With a soundtrack blending hip hop, funk, and soul, this is a musical that brings an important part of British history to life in a fresh and engaging manner.
The music is one of the production’s biggest strengths, with a soundtrack of songs including First Steps, March Women March, and Be The Change. The music gives the story a distinctive sound that makes you want to sway your shoulders and sing along, moving away from the traditional style audiences may expect from a historical musical. The combination of live music, powerful vocals, and energetic choreography creates an atmosphere that feels vibrant throughout. The songs are not just simply there to entertain, but to help communicate the anger, determination and hope driving the characters forward, which helps to really bring them to life.
Naomi Katiyo is compelling in her title role, capturing Sylvia’s passion and determination whilst also showing the personal costs she paid by standing apart from her family. Her performance gives Sylvia’s character a strong sense of purpose, making her fight feel personal rather than simply presenting her as a historical figure. Beverley Knight, who has featured in the production since 2018, is equally impressive as Emmeline Pankhurst. Her commanding stage presence and world-class vocals make every appearance count, whilst the complicated relationship between the characters helps to add even more emotional depth to the story.
The wider cast also deserve credit for bringing the different political figures and campaigners to life. The production moves between personal relationships and the wider struggle for equality without losing sight of the people at its centre. Even with some cast members playing more than one role, this was executed so seamlessly that it never caused any confusion or disruption to the performance. Nathan Louis Fernand deserves particular recognition for stepping into the roles of Lloyd George and Lord Curzon following a cast change for the evening. His performance was excellent, fitting seamlessly into the production and showing no signs of disrupting the momentum of the evening.
Movement is woven into the storytelling, giving the political rallies and moments of collective resistance an infectious energy, and it’s fair to say the cast was filled with incredibly talented dancers and triple threats. The ensemble performances are particularly effective, creating a sense of solidarity that reflects the strength of the movement. The set and costume designs also help to establish the 1900s era whilst allowing the production to move fluidly between locations and events.
At times, the sheer amount of history and political context means the story has a lot to cover. There is a balance to be found between explaining the wider movement and allowing enough space for the audience to connect with Sylvia’s personal journey and relationships along the way. However, the production’s pace, music and performances help maintain interest, even when the historical detail becomes more prominent.
Ultimately, Sylvia succeeds in making a story from Britain’s past feel relevant to a contemporary audience. Its combination of music, movement and powerful performances help to create an entertaining production with a clear message about equality, social justice and the importance of challenging those in power. It is a reminder that the fight for change has never been straightforward, and that progress often depends on people willing to stand up for what they believe in.
Sylvia runs from 19th to 24th October 2026 at The Lowry in Salford Quays, before continuing its UK tour. Tickets available here.