Tina - The Tina Turner Musical UK Tour Review

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Wed 18 Jun 2025 - Sat 04 Apr 2026

For an icon as bold as Tina Turner, she deserves a vivid, clever show that can do her life and music justice. So, I was hoping for far more than a jukebox musical as I sat down to be faced with a huge pair of the singer's beautiful eyes emblazoned across the stage curtain.

It's through Tina's eyes that we relive her tumultuous road to stardom. From Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, a talented child singer in her dad's church battling a difficult relationship with her mother, to being discovered by her future husband Ike Turner and eventual reinvention as a solo artist.

There was so much drama in Tina's life that it takes as much prominence in this musical as the fabulous soundtrack of hits. And that's what makes it so good.



I caught the UK tour of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical at Birmingham Hippodrome , where it stays until Saturday June 28. Although the West End production remains in London until September, this UK tour continues to cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Leeds until April 2026, and all the dates are below.

It takes two main actresses to fill the boots of Tina Turner, who rotate the role over several performances. I saw Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, who had both a sensational presence and voice. She'd also perfected most of Tina's mannerisms and had a rapport with the audience, often interacting with those nearest the stage.

It's the music that has drawn many people in and with a live band, the songs sounds top notch and the whole cast add to that. The hits keep rollin' through from across the decades - Proud Mary, I Can't Stand The Rain, We Don't Need Another Hero, (Simply) The Best and Nutbush City Limits, to name just a few. None of them disappoint.



Early on, the dominant figure of Ike Turner is introduced. Actor David King Yombo, pictured above centre, is excellent as Tina's mentor and brutish husband, believably chilling and ferocious - so much so that he was greeted with boos at the end.

That's partly because this show doesn't shy away from the brutality in Tina's life. The domestic violence starts with her parents and continues into her own marriage. A reason why this show is recommended for ages 14+.

But it's also extremely heartfelt and uplifting. The scene where record producer Phil Spector encourages Tina to sing River Deep, Mountain High a different way and realise her own potential is particularly memorable.




Ultimately, despite the violence, racism and battles as an ageing woman against the record company giants, Tina succeeds, finding love along the way. The script was written by an Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright - Katori Hall - and that shines through as this is quality theatre. It's also got a renowned director in Phyllida Lloyd, who was behind Mamma Mia!.

Lloyd helps raise this musical up another level with slick, set pieces, dance routines and glossy stage design. Lights shimmer and backdrops appear seamlessly, recreating everything from Spector's recording studio to a motel in Mississippi or a packed out stadium in Brazil.

The whole show feels like no expense has been spared to get the right look and feel for both the stage and Tina's many hairstyles and fashions. Much of it will bring back nostalgic feel-good sensations to music videos or her TV appearances.



There's comedy too, in subtle fashion, and it sticks to the story, thankfully never straying into a pop concert, as many musicals of this type often do. Although die-hard fans will be relieved that they get chance to sing and dance at the end when a few top choice hits are repeated in a finale.

To say this is simply the best, seems like a cliche, but it's a fast-paced, brilliant musical that appeals to a far wider audience than just Tina Turner fans. Tina the musical, like the woman herself, is passionate, extraordinary and unforgettable.

RATING: 5 out of 5 stars


Age guidance is 14+ as the show contains scenes depicting domestic violence, racist language, strong language, loud music, strobe lighting, haze, and gunshots.

Running time: 2h 45 mins

UK Tour Dates
See the Tina musical website here for details on all venues and tickets.

Along with UK tour dates below, TINA - The Tina Turner Musical is also showing in London's West End at Aldwiych Theatre until September 13, 2025.

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME - TUE 17 – SAT 28 JUN 2025

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL - TUE 1 – SAT 12 JUL 2025

NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL - TUE 15 JUL – SAT 2 AUG 2025

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE - TUE 12 – SAT 23 AUG 2025

SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION - TUE 26 AUG – SAT 6 SEP 2025

SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE - TUE 9 – SAT 20 SEP 2025

GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE - TUE 23 SEP – SAT 4 OCT 2025

SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER THEATRE - TUE 7 – SAT 18 OCT 2025

CANTERBURY MARLOWE THEATRE - TUE 28 OCT – SAT 8 NOV 2025

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE THEATRE - TUE 11 – SAT 22 NOV 2025

MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE - TUE 25 NOV 2025 – SAT 3 JAN 2026

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL - TUE 13 – SAT 24 JAN 2026

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE - TUE 27 JAN – SAT 7 FEB 2026

CARDIFF WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE - TUE 10 – SAT 28 FEB 2026

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL - TUE 3 – SAT 14 MAR 2026

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE - TUE 17 MAR – SAT 4 APR 2026

%wnbirmingham
%wnmanchester
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!date 18/06/2025 -- 04/04/2026