Beverley Knight coming to see her old theatre group in Wolverhampton
Beverley Knight is returning to her roots to watch a production by her old music theatre in Wolverhampton this week.
The 44-year-old will be at the Arena Theatre in Wulfruna Street for the premiere of Memphis by Wolverhampton Youth Music Theatre on Tuesday evening.
It also comes two years after Beverley starred in the same show in the West End, which saw her nominated For Best Actress In A Musical At The 2015 Olivier Awards.
On Sunday, the former Highfields School student shared the news of her visit on Twitter, posting 'excited to see my hometown production of Memphis at the Arena theatre by Wolverhampton Youth Music Theatre."
And in a message to the Express & Star, she added: "The Wolverhampton Youth Music Theatre that gave me my start in am-dram while I was at school is doing a production of Memphis the musical in which I starred in the West End, which got me my Olivier nomination.
"I owe them a hell of a lot, and am very excited to see their show.
"Folk can say what they will about Wolverhampton but it shaped who I am and gave my the best foundations for my career, and I am forever grateful."
Beverley returned to the stage on Friday night after undergoing a hysterectomy.
She appeared alongside Sir Tom Jones at the Royal Albert Hall in a BBC Proms performance marking the 0th anniversary of label Stax Records’ first tour of the UK.
The star was forced to postpone her upcoming I Love Soulsville Tour after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids in May, then had the hysterectomy soon after.
Wolverhampton Youth Music Theatre have been rehearsing the show Memphis for several months.
Written by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan, the story of Memphis is loosely based on Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips, who was one of the first white DJs to play black music in the underground dance clubs in Tennessee in the 1950s.
Spokesman Ben Cole said: "The theatre boasts an impressive reputation, with many former members now enjoying West End success in Les Miserables, Wicked and The Book of Mormon to name but a few.
“We also strive to support young people to gain vital experience in the aspects of technical theatre and we see many former members working professionally in these fields as well."
The show is on at 7.30pm every night from Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets are £11 for adults, £8 for concessions. On Tuesday, all tickets are £9.
For more details call 01902 321321.
