L'incroyable Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Mission: Rallumer les Etoiles (Relight the Stars)

Combining slam poetry, music, and video, Virginie Séba, accompanied by Fabienne Conte on guitar, humorously recounts the extraordinary life of Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973), an exceptional gospel guitarist and singer, a pioneer of rock'n'roll long before Elvis Presley, who took audacious and risky stances in a segregated and patriarchal America.

Written and performed by Virginie Séba and Fabienne Conte

Accompanied by Fabienne Conte on guitar

Assistant Director: Pauline Letessier Selvon

Company: Les Déméninges

Photo Credits: Pascale Borrell • Jean Buzelin

Duration: 1h10

Did you know that rock'n'roll was invented by a Black woman named Sister Rosetta Tharpe? And yet, this Queen was only inducted into the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame in April 2018, while Elvis Presley, "the King," has been there since 1986. If you don't know her story (which is normal, since it's rarely told), come to Paris to see the "musical and didactic" show L'incroyable Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Drawing on archive videos and some of her songs, Virginie Séba and Fabienne Conte retrace her journey, one with her voice, the other with her guitar. I went on Tuesday, and the audience ended up on their feet, singing and dancing! A lovely moment to share! Chloé Thibaud, La pause (SIMONE)