Skip to content
Home / Production / Sylvia
Uniting dance, hip hop, funk and soul to shine a light on a remarkable moment in history.
This revolutionary story celebrates the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, feminist, activist, pacifist, socialist, rebel, the lesser?known Pankhurst at the heart of the Suffragette movement who profoundly impacted working women and men worldwide.
Following its 2018 work?in?progress run, Sylvia returned to where it began for its full world premiere. Uniting dance, hip hop, funk and soul with original music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, the show shines a dynamic light on a pivotal moment in history.
With book and lyrics by Kate Prince, co-written with Priya Parmar, and a score by Cohen and DJ Walde, Sylvia dramatises the evolution of Pankhurst’s political journey: from youthful activism alongside her sister Christabel, through her ideological break with the WSPU, to her bold movements as a pacifist and socialist. The piece unfolds against themes of political betrayal, family conflict, hunger strikes and revolutionary hope, all delivered in ZooNation’s powerful blend of hip hop, funk, soul and theatre.
Sylvia began as a work?in?progress at The Old Vic in September 2018, ahead of its full evolution into a bold musical-dance-theatre hybrid co-produced by the Old Vic, ZooNation and Sadler’s Wells.
It’s world premiere ran at The Old Vic from 27 January to 8 April 2023, receiving three Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning one.
Best New Musical
Best Theatre Choreographer – Kate Prince
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Beverley Knight, who won for her portrayal of Emmeline Pankhurst – WINNER
ORIGINAL CAST LIST & STUDY PACK
Tremendous fun... a brave and vibrant hit
WhatsOnStage
A storm of a show
The Guardian
Fast and fearsome, pounding with kinetic energy
The i
Dickens’ classic gets a hip hop makeover. A Christmas treat for all ages.
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, two children ran away in search of freedom but found themselves lost… in the hood.
A story of love, mistaken identity and revolution, in a city where books are banned, and where women are kept subservient to men.
An uplifting and poignant tale of humanity and hope, set to many of Sting’s most iconic hits.
View Related Productions >
