Starstruck school group meets West End wonder in Wolverhampton
In the setting of one of the West Midlands’ leading cultural venues, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, pupils from Star King Solomon Academy were thrilled to meet Olivier Award-winning West End star and best-selling soul singer Beverley Knight.
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The Wolverhampton-born singing sensation is currently starring in a production of Marie & Rosetta — a play by George Brant that delves into the early collaboration between gospel music pioneers Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé, Marie Knight. Set in 1946, the work features music celebrating the legacy of gospel and blues in the development of rock 'n' roll, and sees Knight take the reins as Rosetta, with Ntombizodwa Ndlovu embodying Marie.
Having last performed on the Wolverhampton Grand stage four decades ago, Knight celebrated her homecoming by inviting two schools to experience the power and passion of the production. In an online video posted ahead of the performance, Knight expressed her excitement at having so many young, special guests in the audience, saying: “I so believe in kids being encouraged to go to the theatre, and I'm just glad that I can be part of their theatre journey.”
After the curtain fell on the marvellous matinee, pupils from Star King Solomon Academy were thrilled at the opportunity to meet the star in person and spent time speaking with her about her journey in the performing arts. Knight answered their questions with warmth and honesty, offering inspiring insights into her career and encouraging them to pursue their own passions with confidence and purpose. She reminded them that “who you are as a person is just as important as your experience,” leaving a lasting impression on the starstruck school group.
