Singer Beverley Knight will star in the premiere of George Brant’s Marie and Rosetta at the Chichester Festival Theatre from June 25 to July 26.

Through music the play tells the story of American singer and songwriter Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé Marie Knight, the multi award-winning singer and actress.

Beverley Knight plays Rosetta Tharpe, who influenced countless musicians from Elvis to Johnny Cash. The play is directed by Monique Touko and set in Mississippi in 1946.

Beverley said: “It is a great honour to be cast in the role of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of the unsung architects of rock ‘n’ roll.

“This will be my first role in a professional play and I am so thrilled I get to tell her story as my debut.”