Ruth Leon Pocket Review – Sylvia at Old Vic
Ruth Leon recommendsSylvia – Old Vic
Talking of exuberant, the mostly female cast of Sylvia, at the Old Vic, led by Beverley Knight as the formidable suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and Sharon Rose in the title role as her rebellious daughter, sings up a storm. On the coattails of Hamilton, the musical style is a combination of rap, hip-hop and rock, although not nearly as refined, but what they lose in historical specificity, they make up for in commitment and volume. This show is LOUD.
Initially, Sylvia is just one of the gaggle of Pankhurst daughters who faithfully follow their mum into her historic and dangerous work of winning votes for women. Quite soon, though, Sylvia breaks her own ground by becoming involved, personally and idelogically, with the socialist ideas of David Lloyd George, the Liberal Party leader who would become Prime Minister, eventually being expelled from her mother’s organisation. Emmeline’s only goal was that of women’s suffrage, no matter what the price, no matter what the means. Sylvia wanted suffrage for all men and women, and relief from the burden of poverty that she saw when she went out into the community.
As Sylvia, Sharon Rose is rather more gentle and sweet than the real Sylvia must have been. She was arrested and tried for ‘abusive language and causing a public disturbance’ but Rose’s performance and her splendid voice lack the fire of a true revolutionary.
Beverley Knight, on the other hand, although underused, sets fire to the stage in her two big numbers and it’s easy to believe that this Emmeline Pankhurst was at the same time a rigid unbending woman and a first-rate political thinker, a peerless leader who changed our society forever.
Sharon Rose has a wonderful voice as does Beverley Knight. I wondered why David Lloyd George seemed to have a south Walian accent, but he isn’t in it much. Found the music very repetitive, much of a muchness but still an enjoyable evening.