Beverley Knight and the cast of Memphis start rehearsals

Rehearsal images have been released of Beverley Knight and the cast of Memphis the Musical, which opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 9 October.

The Tony Award-winning show centres on a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of the segregated clubs of 1950's Memphis Tennessee.

Then she meets a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music – or their love – is put to the test.

Memphis the Musical features a story by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), and an original score by DiPietro and Bon Jovi's David Bryan.