Tina, THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Theatre Royal Plymouth
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Laura B
I was excited to have the opportunity to attend the Theatre Royal in Plymouth to see “Tina – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL”. With award winner, Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, playing the lead role of the iconic Tina Turner, and David King-Yombo in the supporting role, as her husband, Ike Turner, chronicling the singer’s legendary life. This uplifting comeback story had us all mesmerised from the opening scene where Tina is sitting, cross-legged, reciting a Buddhist chant, “nam myoho renge kyo”, backstage before going on to the main stage.
During the musical, we were able to experience every milestone of Tina’s journey as we jumped back into her childhood. We witnessed Anna Mae, played by the delightful Chloe Angiama, as a young Tina and the subsequent path that Tina took to become the Queen of Rock’ n’ Roll. The story is set to the well-known and beloved soundtrack of the best-selling hits we all know and love Tina for!
The musical is the incredible true story of Tina’s life, both on and off stage. Beginning in the 1950s in Nutbush Tennessee, where she experienced parental neglect and learned patterns of abuse that originated from her father’s physical abuse of her mother. As a young child, she is portrayed as being loud and exuberant, especially in church, and her mother, Zelma, played by Letitia Hector, appears to be embarrassed by Anna Mae. Sadly, her parents had a difficult relationship, involving domestic abuse and after yet another physical assault, by her husband, Tina’s father; Zelma subsequently goes on to leave the family home with Anna Mae’s sister, Alline played by Georgia Gillam, abandoning Anna Mae. Sadly, Anna Mae’s early life is one of repeated rejection.
The story advances with lively singing and fantastic song choices including ‘Nutbush City Limits’, ‘Don’t Turn Around’ and a favourite ‘Shake a Tail Feather’. Anna Mae was subsequently brought up, alone, by her Grandmother, Gran Georgeanna (GG) played by Claud East, and several years later, as a 17-year-old, GG, sends her to join her sister Alline and her mother who are living in St Louis.
Alline and her friends give Anna Mae a makeover, and they hit the town. It is here that she is introduced to Ike Turner and his band ‘The Kings of Rhythm’. Ike can see the potential in Anna Mae and Zelma is persuaded to let Anna Mae join the band. The stage name, “Tina Turner” is then created. We are then treated to the tumultuous path that Tina and Ike took together with the band, involving affairs, pregnancy, drug use, and domestic abuse, and it quickly becomes clear that Ike is controlling and abusive.
Tina is introduced to the Buddhist chant by the Ikettes (the band’s backing singers) that the show opened with, but only as they leave the band due to Ike’s behaviour. Eventually, along the way, Tina leaves Ike, and she ends up performing in Vegas in debt, as a single parent trying to support her two sons.
The second act is much shorter and we are treated to all of Tina Turner’s incredible solo hits, including ‘Private Dancer’, ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain’, What’s Love Got to Do with it?’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ and ‘The Best’. In this act, we move into the greatest comeback in the history of music and the beginning of Tina’s love story with Irwin Bach.
Oh, my goodness, what a show! Outstanding performance by every single cast member. The best show I’ve ever seen. Got all the ‘feels’ – very emotional at times. The atmosphere at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth was electrifying. We had not seen this show before and only wish that we could return for the next performance to see it all over again!
Tina is one of the best-selling artists of all time, winning 12 Grammy Awards achieving more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. The musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall.
Tina – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is still showing in London in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre, where it has played for over 7 years following its world premiere. Although I understand that the final performance in London will now be on 13 September 2025. The production has achieved global success, having opened worldwide since 2018, including on Broadway and across North America, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. I would advise that it would be recommended for children aged 14 and over due to the scenes depicting domestic violence, racist language, loud music, strobe lighting, haze, and gun shots. The show runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth is the largest and best-attended regional producing theatre in the UK, and it’s THE place to see West End shows that are touring in the South West. It consists of a 1,300-seat auditorium, The Lyric, as well as a smaller theatre, The Drum, plus a restaurant and bar. All areas are accessible to disabled visitors, alongside the theatre also provides facilities for hearing-impaired visitors, with an infrared system. Guide dogs are permitted, and there are parking areas for disabled visitors, as well as ramps plus level access and accessible toilets. The seating is comfortable with plenty of legroom and the theatre, is air-conditioned, which was very welcome on a hot day, and the design of the theatre ensures that the view from each seat is generally very good.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from – £35
Showing at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from 02/07/2025 – 07/2025.
For more information or to book tickets visit theatreroyal.com or call the box office on 01752 668282
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR