Zoe Birkett in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Photo by Matt CrockettEntering its eighth year at the Aldwych Theatre, Tina tells its heroine’s life story in a relatively non-sugar-coated way which explores many facets of Turner’s biography: her parents’ unhappy marriage in rural Tennessee, Ike Turner’s work in promoting TIna professionally and their subsequent violent marriage, Tina’s decision to leave him and her life as a single mum, her change in management and second marriage. Along the way, the show also digs into Turner’s conversion to Buddhism, the fractured relationship with her mother, and the romance-of-friendship love story between Turner and her manager Rhonda. Phil Spector even turns up for a bit. Although this extensive plot and range of themes makes Tina an overly long show (it’s nearly three hours), the story and ideas hang together effectively. Ike’s abuse of Turner is genuinely disturbing, and the racism which Black musicians face is treated seriously and without glibness. The production’s willingness to give time to these, and to the more unusual themes like Buddhism and management changes, make it more thought-provoking than the average jukebox musical.
But the music’s important to, and for the most part, Phyllida Lloyd’s direction realises these excitingly onstage. "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" and "I Can’t Stand The Rain"were particular highlights, as well as the bombastic closing medley. I was lucky enough to catch understudy Charlotte St Croix in the title role, delivering a brilliant performance in a role in which she rarely leaves the stage, portrays Tina from her teenage years to her fifties, and has to sing all of Turner’s biggest hits. St Croix’s voice in particular was a highlight of the show. She is supported by a strong cast, notably Joey James as Tina’s son Craig, and Ezmai Robinson and Amira Skerrit-Cunningham as younger versions of Tina and her sister. It’s also lovely to see Tina’s band get their big moment at the curtain call, given how omnipresent and excellent their accompaniment is throughout the show.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is both a sparkly rock spectacle perfect for adding some oomph to these miserable January evenings and an expansive and multi-faceted story which engages the audience in bigger issues. A story a central performance and a show full of power.
Currently booking at Aldwych Theatre until 25 October 2025
