Tina The Musical Is A Thoroughly Joyous Experience

Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre ★★★★☆

By Chris Bridges Last edited 71 months ago

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Tina The Musical Is A Thoroughly Joyous Experience Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre 4
Photo: Manuel Harlan

The formula for a ‘jukebox’ musical isn’t complex: find a string of hits, cram them into a story and watch the crowds pour in and sing along, misty-eyed whilst the ticket sales mount up over the years. But there’s something about Tina that elevates it above the form, namely powerhouse actress Adrienne Warren who steals the show. She’s a more than credible Tina; all legs, frenetic movements and a belting voice.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Some aspects of the show are pretty standard fare. Katori Hall’s script is painfully trite and the story of Tina’s rise from battered wife to global superstar is cursorily retold at breakneck speed. Who the hell cares though? It’s Tina Turner. The songs are belting, the set pieces are lively and Phyllida Lloyd has repeated some of her amusing Mamma Mia tricks with songs wittily chosen to match the action/emotions. From the opening church choir rendition of Nutbush City Limits with a tiny Tina hand-clapping and roaring out the vocals through to the inevitable three-song encore, it’s a joyous experience.

Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, WC2B 4DF, £10-129.50, until 20 October 2018.

Last Updated 20 April 2018