Review: Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, Palace Theatre, Manchester

This year has been a phenomenal year of theatre for us in Manchester, with the Palace and Opera bringing so many great, good and downright extraordinary theatre productions. Honestly, I didn’t think this year’s theatre listings could be rivalled. But last night, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical did just that.

I grew up listening to Tina Turners reinvention years, it was the soundtrack to my high school years. She was an inspirational woman, had a sass that I addored and her story was well know, public and painful. But to see it played out on stage was something else.

What Is The Tina Turner Muscial About?

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical isn’t just a celebration of one of music’s most electrifying performers; it’s a raw, unflinching portrait of a woman who refused to let the world define her. Developed with Tina Turner’s support. The production traces her journey from small-town Tennessee to global rock legend. Pairing her life story with the soundtrack that made her iconic.

At its core, it’s a story of resilience. We meet Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, a young girl with an extraordinary voice. Whose rise to fame alongside Ike Turner comes at a heartbreaking personal cost. The show doesn’t avoid the darker chapters; instead, it highlights the bravery it took for Tina to walk away with nothing but her name and unwavering determination.

What follows is a remarkable reinvention. Despite being told her time was over, Tina rebuilt her career on her own terms, ultimately becoming the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. Her biggest hits,  Proud Mary, River Deep, Mountain High, Private Dancer, and What’s Love Got to Do with It, help tell that triumphant climb.

More than a jukebox musical, Tina is a tribute to strength, survival, and the power to rise. Behind the iconic songs stood a woman fighting for her voice, her artistry, and her life. Tina – The Tina Turner Musical launched in London in 2018, beginning previews on 21 March at the Aldwych Theatre and officially opening on 17 April, before later making its Broadway debut on 7 November 2019.

My Review

I have been blown away by theatre so many times this year, but Tina is different; it gets into your heart and soul. This is a harrowing story. At times, it’s uncomfortable to watch a hero; any woman abused to that level is heartbreaking. But to see her rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and that is precisely what Tina Turner did, yet remain true to herself, is phenomenal.

Young Anna Mae (Sophia St. Louis) and the adult Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy didn’t just play her; they embodied her. It felt as if Tina was right there in the room, absolutely profound. And David King-Yombo played the perfect hateful Ike Turner with such skill.

The whole cast is incredible, bringing something extra; the costumes and set shone, making the entire production feel part movie, part concert. Theatre is by far my favourite entertainment genre, but this was something different; it felt raw, honest, painful, exciting, and inspirational at the same time. There was no formal moment when the standing ovation began; the audience was on its feet long before then. It was like we had all experienced a moment. This is a production not to miss.

Where To See Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is showing at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, until the 3rd of January 2026, with tickets from £15.00 plus booking fee. And then at…..

Milton Keynes Theatre, Tue 27 Jan – Sat 7 Feb 2026

Please note, I was gifted the tickets, but a review was optional. Also, see where to eat and park near the Palace Theatre.