Showing this week at Birmingham Hippodrome, TINA - The Tina Turner Musical bursts onto the stage in a riot of glitter and glamour. A heroic tale of how Turner, through sheer grit, determination and show-womanship, was able to lift herself out of abuse, poverty and exploitation to achieve her status as a global icon. 

Developed in association with Tina Turner herself, this touring production of a west end favorite is a toe-tapping combination of Tina classics and popular songs from the nearly 60-year span of her career, which guides us through the journey of her life. A talented live ensemble of musicians, compelling performances and incredible vocals come together to tell a story as tragic as it is joyful.  

We meet Tina as a young child, precocious and easily able to out-sing the entire church congregation. The uninhibited joy of these opening moments is sharply interrupted as we see the abusive family dynamics of her home life play out - dynamics that come to repeat themselves in different relationships throughout her life. The cruelty and abuse Tina suffers at the hands of her mother and Ike Turner can be difficult to bear witness to at times, however her courage places her firmly as the triumphant heroine of this story - not victim but victor. 

The story reaches its climax at the height of Tina’s success and Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy’s enthralling stage prescence and boundless energy make the final 15 minutes as cathartic as they are joyous. Her portrayal is in turns heartbreaking and electrifying, vulnerable and fierce in equal measure. Meanwhile, David King-Yombo presents an Ike Turner as charismatic, debonaire and manipulative as he is despicable - a true villain. Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor, who plays young Tina, combines enthusiasm, vocal prowess and acting talent to charm the audience and steal every scene she appears in. 

The supporting characters in the story are brought to life by a fantastic supporting cast. The charming and romantic Raymond (Kyle Richardson), the wise GG (Claude East), gut wrenchingly cruel Zelma (Letitia Hector) and reassuringly supportive Rhonda Gramm (Gemma Sutton) are all brilliant.   

The whole story is wrapped in striking visuals, courtesy of Jeff Sugg’s projections and Mark Thompson’s opulent costumes, which immerse us in the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle Tina Turner led. Dedicated Tina fans and newcomers alike are sure to be thrilled, moved and inspired by this extraordinary story of resilience and triumph, which continues to chime over 60 years after her first record release.

Five Stars

TINA - The Tina Turner Musical was reviewed on Wednesday 18 June by Todd Jennings at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 28 June.