MK Theatre Review: The Tina Turner Musical

Summary

Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: 27th January - 7th February 2026
Where to see it: Milton Keynes Theatre
Duration: 2 hr 45 incl. interval

Photography by Johan Persson

Review

I must confess that I am a sceptic when it comes to jukebox musicals. They can appear to be designed to fleece the fans by charging theatre prices for little more than well produced tribute acts. However, few such shows survive the discerning British public and don’t last very long. TINA: The Tina Turner Musical has already proved it is a cut above the rest, playing to rave reviews at the Aldwych Theatre in London for 7 years before starting its UK tour.

Written by Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Ketari Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!), it is a warts-and-all telling of Tina’s struggle to overcome family breakdown, racism, misogyny, domestic abuse and ageism to becoming a global star. At times deeply shocking and depressing, but ultimately uplifting and empowering with a high energy ending.

The show opens with Tina chanting “Nam myo-ho range Kyo” prior to her huge stadium performance in Brazil. This is a Buddhist chant to unlock one’s Buddhist nature, overcome obstacles and achieve inner happiness. I suspect much of the audience was left bewildered and even though her Buddhism was briefly mentioned later, I thought it underplayed the contribution she felt it played in overcoming adversity in her life.

The first half of the show takes us from her upbringing in Nutbush, Tennessee to her moving to metropolitan St Louis and meeting Ike Turner. Young Tina, real name Anna Mae, was played brilliantly by Lola McCourtie. Brought up by her violent preacher father and a disinterested mother, who found it hard to cope with Anna Mae’s exuberance.

Photography by Johan Persson

At 17, Anna Mae, now played by Ella Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, moves in with her mother and sister in St Louis and meets Ike Turner singing at a club. She joins him on stage and he instantly recognises her talent. Ella’s power and incredible energy as Tina is evident from the first note and continues throughout the show.

What followed in the first half of the show was at times quite uncomfortable. David King-Yombo, was all too believable as the misogynistic and narcissistic Ike Turner who belittled, bullied, beat and financially exploited Tina throughout their 16 years together. We also see the racism that they faced during this time. Juxtaposed by great music that they made together in this period, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, River Deep Mountain High being my favourites.

The second half was much more “feel good” with an amazing high energy finale. It encapsulated a traditional rags-to-riches story. Free from Ike but with only 36 cents in her pocket, we watch her early struggles to survive before eventually getting a low paying residency in Las Vegas. A chance meeting the changes everything for Tina, and her incredible ‘world icon’ status is instated.

Songs are interwoven into the storyline and are thereby given a meaning and connection, which most listeners would probably not have recognised when hearing them on the radio. Let’s Stay Together, What’s Love Got to Do With It, We Don’t Need Another Hero, I Can’t Stand The Rain. The hits just kept coming.

Throughout the show the costumes and sets, designed by Mark Thompson, cleverly portrayed the timeline over her long career. As did the hairdos. I was a particular fan of Phil Spector’s hair. Yes, people really did have hair like that, unbelievable as it may seem today!

Photography by Johan Persson

A special mention for the unsung heroes of the theatre world, the lighting designers. They play a crucial role in creating the mood and focusing the story that is often taken for granted. Very impressed by Bruno Poet throughout and especially the finale.

The last 15 minutes of the show was nothing short of spectacular and had the audience on their feet, joining in with enthusiasm. Tina led the audience with a collective singing one of her classics.

Overall it was good entertainment. I enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it, especially for Tina fans and especially for the finale ! My only reservation is that is that although Ella has a great voice and boundless energy, I didn’t feel she had the “presence” to successfully personify Tina. Most of the audience I suspect would not agree with me.

This show is a superb reminder of Tina Turner’s extraordinary story of resilience and the fantastic music that she created on the way.

Disclaimer: The tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review.