****

I saw Tina Turner at Portman rd football ground Ipswich thirty five years ago in 1990. At fifty years old, she was fit, energetic and had a magnificent voice.

In its seventh year (and the longest-running show) at the West End’s Aldwych Theatre, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is now embarking on its first UK and Ireland tour in 2025. In a bravura tale of compelling performances, powerhouse vocals, and a story as inspiring and raw, as the woman herself.

This is not  a ‘jukebox’ musical,  playwright   Katori Hall skilfully  weaves the music and  narrative, never afraid to let the latter lead the way. The music is not performed chronologically.

Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy is outstanding  as Tina , uncannily capturing Tina’s body movement and shimmies. Opposite  David King-Yombo  as the violent  but gifted  Ike Turner .

Director brings the best out of Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor shines as Young Tina. Indeed the entire family, including  Alline Bullock, as Tina’s sister and  Rush and Chambers and Letitia Hector, as Tina’s parents, provide vital depth to the proceedings

Mark Thompson’s set, Bruno Poet’s lighting, and Jeff Sugg’s projection design work are a joy and the finale in which a live concert performance is evoked is stunning.

Inevitably Nutbush city limits, Proud Mary and River Deep Mountain High seize the musical moments But private dancer and we don’t need another hero come close. MacCarthy becomes Tina in the same way that Alexandra burke became Whitney in  the bodyguard. Her vocals are faultless, imitating Tina but still breathing her own personality into the songs.

At 75 minutes a half, we are given our money’s worth, yet the ending is a little abrupt. The role that chance and David Bowie played in resurrecting her career is a trifle underplayed but realistically you cannot fault the song choice or narrative arc.

This is a carefully and lavishly crafted musical that pushes at the boundaries of the jukebox musical and tribute forms. A terrific evening’s entertainment