The Tina Turner Musical

THE
STORY

The Tina Turner Musical West End

Theatre
Aldwych Theatre
Duration
165 minutes
Age Restrictions
6+ years

If ever a pop star merited a jukebox musical, it is the extraordinary Tina Turner. In addition to a voice that could blow the roof of any theatre, the powerhouse pop star has a back story to match the strength of her back catalogue.

In Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall’s hands, Tina: the Musical becomes much more than your standard story of pop stardom. She and director Phyllida Lloyd (‘Mamma Mia’) elevate it into a quasi pop-rock opera, aware that Turner’s life marries tragedy and triumph, all mapped against America’s history of racial division and discrimination.

Born in Nutbush Tenessee under the name Anna Mae Bullock, she’s first seen unleashing an outrageous voice at the local community church to her mother Zelma’s embarrassment. Given her parents’ turbulent relationship – her mother leaves home with her sister Aline – Anna Mae is bought up by her grandmother Georgeanna and, as a teenager, set to work in the cotton fields.

On visiting her mother and sister in St Louis, she’s spotted at a nightclub by the rising singer songwriter Ike Turner, who chances to hand her the mic mid-song and, blown away by her belt voice, signs her up for his backing band and, in time, as his wife. Anna Mae Bullock becomes Tina Turner.

The story of their marriage is well-documented, rife with drug and domestic abuse, but onstage, it lands with horrible force – and Hall’s book gives Ike’s charisma as much room as his cruelty. It is only on breaking free from their relationship, physically and emotionally bruised, that she starts to take flight on her own path to stardom.

Even so, Tina’s blessed with a score to send audiences soaring. A show that starts with the infectious exuberance of ‘Nutbush City Limits’ builds into a toe-tapping, lust-busting medley over the first half as hit after hit tumbles off the stage: ‘River Deep Mountain High’ raises the tempo and the temperature before ‘Proud Mary’ all but raises the roof.

These are the sort of songs that make a star turn inevitable and Tina – currently played by Nkeki Obi-Melekwe – is the sort of part actors enter pacts with the devil for: a feisty woman with a ferocious talent, fighting for her life in every sense. Every moment she unleashes her voice catches the audience off-guard and, as the second half goes more serious and more strident, working through classics like ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ and, of course, ‘The Best’, Tina: The Musical only surpasses itself.

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Tina The Musical Reviews

Emotional, moving, funny Amazing show and the performances were outstanding, close your eyes and you’d think Tina was on stage. What a life she had…. 
6/19/2022

Brilliant cast, wonderful seats and a great atmosphere. The cast were wonderful and the singing, dancing and staging were very impressive. The show was well-paced and the story was so beautifully told, and the performance ended with a... read moreThe cast were wonderful and the singing, dancing and staging were very impressive. The show was well-paced and the story was so beautifully told, and the performance ended with a repeat of some of the best songs which was great fun. read less 
6/06/2022

Simply fabulous Wow, what a show. Amazing from start to finish, we had Simply the best time. 

Cast, band, visuals all stunning 
6/04/2022

Mesmerising spectacular a must see Omg was mesmerised all the way through. There was a strong storyline embedded in the show with songs and dance that made you feel you were watching Tina in person.faultless... read moreOmg was mesmerised all the way through. There was a strong storyline embedded in the show with songs and dance that made you feel you were watching Tina in person.faultless in every way read less 
5/21/2022

Top class show We debated whether to go to this or not. I liked Tina when I was younger but lost touch with her and her music. But I was glad we made... read moreWe debated whether to go to this or not. I liked Tina when I was younger but lost touch with her and her music. But I was glad we made the choice as this show brought back so many memories of the struggle of this brilliant singer. The crowd cheered in parts and booed one character. I won’t spoil it for you but I’m sure you can guess. The music was brilliant the challenges she faced and came up against because of the colour of her skin and the struggles for her and her sons growing up. But she beat all the odds and became one of the greatest artists of all time. The person playing Tina has the most wonderful voice what a performance from all read less 
5/20/2022

Top Tina Fantastic show, the life story of Tina Turner, just some awesome music, the lead is a young Tina Turner in every way, the performance was top notch by every cast... read moreFantastic show, the life story of Tina Turner, just some awesome music, the lead is a young Tina Turner in every way, the performance was top notch by every cast member, one of the best shows I’ve seen. read less 
8/08/2021

Outstanding show From the opening number to the last it is incredible, full to the brim with energy. 

We are so pleased we went to see the show and weren’t... read moreFrom the opening number to the last it is incredible, full to the brim with energy. 

We are so pleased we went to see the show and weren’t disappointed in anyway. Fabulous costumes, amazing vocals, in fact We were worn out by the sheer energy put into the show, read less 
11/22/2020

went twice , because it was so good I went first time with business friend , who brought his wife but when I saw the great show , I booked also to see with my wife . Good show 
1/01/1970

Tina the musical I enjoyed it and the programme and my interval sweets she is simply the best singer been since the 60s and the musical holidays it 
2/03/2021

Fabulous musical! You've got to see it... We loved the concept, loved the story, loved the music. Our only issue was the lead singer (Tina) left the set and a graceful, taller, less intense Tina joined... read moreWe loved the concept, loved the story, loved the music. Our only issue was the lead singer (Tina) left the set and a graceful, taller, less intense Tina joined the show towards the end which was disconcerting. We hope to see it again some day though. read less 
4/24/2020

Great Show We went with National Holidays, the show was in the afternoon, and started about 2.30pm until 5.15pm. I cannot fault the show in any way it was fantastic, sometimes a... read moreWe went with National Holidays, the show was in the afternoon, and started about 2.30pm until 5.15pm. I cannot fault the show in any way it was fantastic, sometimes a little bit loud and a bit of Effin and Jeffin, but I suppose they had to make it true to life.

They only problem we had was the very tight seating, our knees were crushed onto the seat in front, however we managed to use our coats as cushions and this helped quite a lot. read less 
1/01/1970

CAST
CREATIVE

Cast and Creative

Cast

Aisha Jawando – Tina Turner
Jammy Kasongo – Ike Turner
Garmon Rhys – Roger Davies
Joseph Richardson – Erwin Bach
Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky – Alline /Ikette
Joe Evans – Phil Spector
Alice Bailey Johnson – Rhonda
Chanel Haynes – Tina 2
Matt Mills – Richard Bullock
Posi Morakinyo – Raymond Hill
Irene Forrester – Gran Georgeanna
Maria Omakinwa – Zelma
Daniella Bowen – Ensemble

Creative

Anthony Van Laast – Choreographer
Mark Thompson – Set & Costume Designer
Nicholas Skilbeck – Musical Supervisor
Bruno Poet – Lighting Designer
Nevin Steinberg – Sound Designer
Ethan Popp – Orchestrator
Jeff Suff – Projection Designer
Pippa Ailon – Casting
Natalie Gallacher – Casting
Toby Higgins – Musical Director
Joop Van Den Ende – Producer
Jennifer Tang – Resident Director

FAQ

Cancellation policy

No exchanges or refunds are available after paying for tickets, you can however, get a full refund if you need to cancel due to unavoidable circumstances, with the TicketPlan refund protection option which can be added when you purchase your show tickets.

Which theatre and where?

Tina the musical is showing at the Aldwych Theatre which is located at 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF.

How does it work?

Choose your seats via our live booking platform, once payment is completed you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number and e-Tickets.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about your ticket purchase you can contact our customer services team on 020 3670 8887

Good to know

Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.

Suitable for children?

The Tina Turner Musical is recommended for ages 6 and above.

Can I video record or take photos?

The use of camera and sound recording equipment is strictly prohibited.

The Tina Turner Musical