Sylvia, the Olivier-nominated musical production starring Beverley Knight as Emmeline Pankhurst and Sharon Rose as Sylvia Pankhurst will return in Autumn 2026 for a limited tour ahead of five performances at the Royal Albert Hall from 13 th– 15 th November 2026 with tickets on sale to the public for the Royal Albert Hall from 7 November. The Royal Albert Hall was the home of over 20 suffragette rallies and some of the most historic speeches in the fight for women to gain the vote, and the suffragettes were banned from the Hall between 1913 and 1918.
This revolutionary story celebrates the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst, and her role at the heart of the Suffragette movement, improving the lives of working women and men across the world. Produced in association with Curve, Sylvia will open in Leicester on 24 September, followed by Birmingham Hippodrome, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Salford Lowry,Norwich Theatre Royal, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and close the tour at the Royal Albert Hall.
Sharon Rose and Beverley Knight. Photo by Craig Sugden.
Beverley Knight said: “I could not be more chuffed to reprise my role as Emmeline Pankhurst one more time! The spirit, courage and determination of the suffragettes and in particular Sylvia Pankhurst is so brilliantly celebrated in this show. The Soul, R&B, HipHop and Blues reflects the joy, passion and the fight of the women and their allies. It seemed to me like the perfect place to perform “Sylvia” was the very stage on which the suffragettes were roundly expelled and rejected, the Royal Albert Hall. Over 100 years later Sylvia and the Suffragettes are returning to triumph.”
Helen Pankhurst, activist, scholar and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, said: “I’m thrilled that Sylvia will be touring the UK next autumn, reaching audiences right across the country including Greater Manchester, the birthplace of the suffragette movement, and the Royal Albert Hall which became a powerful stage for some of the most memorable events in the fight for women to gain the vote. This production is a stunning retelling of the Suffragette movement, focusing on the fiery personal and political dynamics within my family. With only a few years until the Centenary of Equal Franchise in 2028, this might seem like a story of the past and of one extraordinary family, but the themes it explores are as relevant and topical as ever.”
Sylvia Pankhurst - fearless, flawed, and unforgettable. The untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst takes centre stage in this irresistible hip hop, funk and soul musical that moves your feet and fires your spirit. Whilst her mother and sister battled for women& suffrage, Sylvia ignited a revolution for the forgotten: working women, the impoverished, the silenced. Caught between her family and her beliefs, Sylvia risked it all to bring change to millions.
Following its sellout world premiere production at The Old Vic in 2023, Sylvia will visit Leicester Curve (24 Sep – 3 Oct), followed by Birmingham Hippodrome (6 – 10 Oct), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (12 – 17 Oct), Salford Lowry (19 – 24 Oct), Norwich Theatre (28 – 31 Oct), Canterbury Marlowe (2 – 7 Nov) before heading into the Royal Albert Hall on 13, 14 and 15 November 2026. Sylvia is supported by a grant from the Arts Council Incentivising Touring scheme.