A youth theatre noted by Beverley Knight in her acceptance speech for the Olivier Award stated that it was “very inspiring and uplifting.”
The Wolverhampton-born actress was honored on Sunday for her supporting performance as Emmeline Pankhurst in the musical Sylvia.
Knight, 50, praised the city’s Central Youth Theatre, which “gave her a chance” when she was 11 years old.
According to the theater, her victory was “extremely inspiring” for Wolverhampton.
Knight, renowned for his singles “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” and “Come as You Are,” was a member of Central Youth Theatre in Whitmore Reans during the mid-1980s.
Jane Ward, the theater’s founding director, praised her as “brilliant, lively, and vivacious.”
Ms. Ward said,
“She has all the attributes that characterize her skills now; she has not changed.”
Knight made her début in musical theatre in 2013 and was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in Memphis and The Drifters Girl in 2015 and 2022, respectively.
Sunday in her acceptance speech, Knight referenced her role as Emmeline Pankhurst and “women taking power.” She then expressed gratitude to the theater she joined decades ago.
She added,
“Big up Wolverhampton Youth Theatre for giving me an opportunity when I was 11 years old.”
Beverley Knight had previously tweeted that she was “very honored” to have performed twice at the awards ceremony.
Ms. Ward stated that the prize was “so thrilling” and that she expected Mr. Knight to be “on top of the world.”
Ms. Ward noted that the performer’s mention of the theatre, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer, was “very motivating and encouraging” for “not only the students but Wolverhampton residents as well.”
She stated,
“It is positive to have a prominent figure advocate for youth arts.”
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