Carmel ThomasonMy first ever stadium gig as a child was watching the late Tina Turner at Gateshead International Stadium in 1990. It was billed as a farewell tour – which of course it wasn’t. Much to the delight of her fans, this born performer was back at the same venue six years later.
Of course, back then I had little knowledge of the grit and determination, as well as the talent it had taken for her to get there. Since then, there has been the 1993 film ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, that revealed the extent of the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of ex-husband and singing partner Ike Turner. More recently there have been several documentaries, most notably the 2021 HBO documentary film, simply titled, ‘Tina’.
But it takes a live show to capture both the emotion of the story and the electrifying energy of a gig. And this show maxes out both to jaw-dropping effect.
If you’re thinking, well this is not the first time we’ve seen a Tina Turner show, don’t mix this up with ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ – the theatre tribute show, which recreates a concert.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is a biographical jukebox musical that chronicles her incredible journey from young Anna Mae Bullock of Tennessee to the global superstar we know today. This tour is it’s first time out of the West End.
While it’s written by Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Katori Hall, the content of the show has been guided very much by Tina Turner herself who played a central part in the creation of the musical, ensuring audiences get to understand more of the real woman behind the stage persona.
This leads not just to scenes of her turbulent love life, but a closer lens on her family, from her early upbringing as the daughter of a Baptist preacher, the break-up of her parents’ marriage, reliance on her Gran, her difficult and often abusive relationship with her mother and her strained relationship with her sons. Literally no punches are pulled and in one scene we see a bloodied Tina begging for a roof over her head.
The story is told through 23 songs from Tina’s extensive back catalogue, including Proud Mary, River Deep – Mountain High, Private Dancer and (Simply) The Best. Mark Thompson’s set design uses minimal props and a lot of projection to seamlessly move locations in an almost filmic fashion between scenes. The costumes are fabulous too and some of the dresses from the West End show are on display to be viewed close-up at The Palace Theatre in the space where there is often a merchandise stand at the back of the stalls.
Overall, it is a slick and immersive experience, driven by a compelling story and mesmerising central performance. Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy played Tina on Thursday when we saw the show. She captures the star’s powerful vocals and signature moves while at the same time giving us an authentic interpretation that never feels like it is falling into an impression or mimicry of the singer. Jochebel shares the role with Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi because it is too vocally and physically demanding for one actor to perform six days a week, sometimes twice a day.
If you see the show, you will understand why it has two actors for the starring role as well as an alternate. The show runs for just under three hours and the lead is on stage almost throughout. The storyline is emotionally demanding and the energy required at the end to lift the atmosphere to stadium gig levels is phenomenal.
Jochebel is supported ably by a fantastic cast including an aggressively explosive, David King-Yombo in the difficult role of Ike Turner. The live band, which we get to see at the end, rocks the house down and everyone gets their chance to join in to (Simply) The Best.
The show is in Manchester until January and some people who saw it in London have told me they can’t wait to see it again closer to home. It is the kind of show you will want to see again – it’s terrific.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is at The Palace Theatre, Manchester from 25 November to 3 January 2025. Age guidance 14+
Leslie James Kerwin
Cathy Crabb
