Review: TINA - The Tina Turner Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal
The hit West End production is back in the region celebrating the life, resilience and unforgettable music of one of the most legendary performers in pop history
Bringing the life of a global music icon to the stage is no small undertaking, and TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, at the Newcastle Theatre Royal until March 14, has an obvious advantage from the start: one of the most legendary songbooks in pop history.
On the night we attended, Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi took on the title role. Tina Turner’s unmistakable voice is virtually impossible to replicate, but N’Zuzi brings clear vocal talent and a powerful range.
While some numbers undoubtedly sat more comfortably in her voice than others, when it came to the biggest hitters, she delivered impressively, particularly for River Deep – Mountain High, Nutbush City Limits and Simply the Best… a trio of pretty pivotal tracks in Tina’s musical story.
David King-Yombo plays musician and songwriter Ike Turner - the man who discovered, married, controlled and abused the young Anna Mae Bullock - with convincing menace and manipulation, capturing the darker side of the story without overplaying it.
Elsewhere, Claude East is a warm and watchful presence as Tina’s grandmother, Gran Georgeanna, while Georgia Gillam brings heart as sister Alline Bullock. Letitia Hector gives a suitably steely portrayal of Tina’s mother, Zelma.
The production design is perhaps the sparsest you’ll see in a show of this scale. The stage remains largely bare throughout, flanked by a giant screen backdrop which does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to shifting locations.
Choreography by Anthony Van Laast incorporates many of Tina’s instantly recognisable moves and performance routines, helping to recreate the energy of her live shows, while Mark Thompson’s costumes neatly evoke the many eras of her career – from early Ike & Tina days to the glittering stadium years.
This is, of course, much more than a jukebox musical. It tells the true story of Anna Mae Bullock’s rise to global stardom as Tina Turner, and the scenes depicting the domestic abuse she suffered during her marriage to Ike Turner drew audible gasps from the audience.
There were moments where the American accents wobbled – Tina herself seeming to drift between a few – but the affection in the room was unmistakable. When the audience were finally invited to their feet for a celebratory gig finale, they needed little encouragement.
Tina Turner’s music and legacy remain the real stars of the show – and judging by the response, that’s more than enough to keep audiences coming.
TINA - The Tina Turner Musical is at Newcastle Theatre Royal until March 14. Visit the website for tickets.