The Tina Turner musical at The Curve

Another musical biopic, another story of hardship and triumph—Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Curve Theatre offers a stirring portrayal of the trials and triumphs of one of music’s most beloved icons. Chronicling Turner’s life from humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her turbulent years with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, to her groundbreaking solo success, the production is an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t shy away from the harrowing realities she faced. Yet, it ultimately celebrates her resilience, concluding with a finale that embodies Tina’s indomitable spirit.

With the late Turner’s personal blessing, this bio-musical takes the audience on a whirlwind journey through her tumultuous life. The book by Katori Hall, assisted by Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, explores her incredible tenacity in the face of adversity. It highlights how, despite suffering abuse in her marriage to Ike Turner and facing rejection from an industry dominated by white men, Tina overcame it all to achieve global superstardom.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the story begins with young Anna Mae Bullock, played on press night by Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor (one of three rotating actors in the role). Her performance is captivating, portraying the early spark of a future legend as she sings in her Baptist church. As adult Tina, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy is formidable. Her powerhouse vocals do justice to Turner’s legendary catalogue, including hits like (Simply) The Best, What’s Love Got to Do with It?, Private Dancer, and River Deep, Mountain High. The live band, though mostly hidden, delivers these classics with electrifying energy.

David King-Yombo’s portrayal of Ike Turner is deeply unsettling. He embodies both the charisma and menace of a man whose musical genius was eclipsed by his abusive, controlling nature. His volatile energy is palpable, making the audience keenly feel the tension and violence that plagued Ike and Tina’s relationship. Letitia Hector delivers a strong performance as Tina’s mother, Zelma Bullock, portraying the complexities of their fraught relationship.

Visually, the show has its highs and lows. While Mark Thompson’s costume design effectively captures the evolving fashion of the eras, the sparse set design and psychedelic screen effects feel underwhelming at times. However, the production’s high-energy choreography and ensemble performances more than compensate, delivering a spectacle that keeps audiences engaged.

Perhaps the greatest triumph of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is how it reframes Turner’s songs in a new emotional context. Many of these hits, which audiences have spent decades mindlessly singing along to on the radio, take on deeper meaning when viewed through the lens of her lived experiences. After two hours of often difficult-to-watch, emotionally charged storytelling, the show ends on the only appropriate note—a high-energy, celebratory singalong that reminds us of Tina’s enduring legacy.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is at the Curve Theatre, Leicester until 22nd March before continuing its UK tour. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering her story for the first time, this production is a testament to the unstoppable force that was Tina Turner. https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/tina-the-tina-turner-musical/

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