Just one day after what would have been Tina Turner’s 86th birthday, I went to see the show dedicated to her at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, and what unfolded on stage felt like the closest I’ll ever come to witnessing the legend herself live.
From the first sound of distant cheering to the final explosive sequence, this production doesn’t simply tell her story; it brings it to life. It carries her spirit and transforms the theatre into an entirely different world filled with raw emotion, heartbreak, resilience and soul.
Tina once said that this show “turned poison into medicine,” and sitting in that audience, it felt as though she was absolutely right. The creative team have taken some of the darkest chapters of her life and crafted a story that honours her honesty, bravery and persistence.
One of the production’s greatest strengths is its storytelling. I walked in knowing little more than Tina’s biggest hits, yet by the interval I was fully invested in Anna Mae’s journey from Nutbush to international stardom.
The staging is intentionally minimal for much of the show. Rather than relying on elaborate sets, the production uses shifting lights and projections to set each scene. It’s a bold choice for a story this big, but it works beautifully.
As someone who loves admiring lighting design, I was blown away. The lighting acts almost as another cast member, moving from soft, isolated glows during intimate scenes to shimmering reflections that turn the theatre into a concert arena. With fewer distractions, the emotional moments land harder and give the larger, more elaborate scenes space to burst open and truly excel.
Scene transitions were smooth, guiding the audience effortlessly between quiet, painful memories and electrifying performances. It’s subtle artistry, but done with such care that you can’t help admiring it.
Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy as Tina Turner
Two talented performers share the role of Tina Turner: Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy and Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi. For my performance, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy stepped into the spotlight, and I genuinely cannot think of anyone other than Tina herself who could have done it better.
Her voice was astonishing. This isn’t an exaggeration: I had goosebumps every single time she sang. Each note felt alive, vibrant and full of emotion, as though the air itself paused just to listen. What made her performance exceptional wasn’t only the vocal power, but how deeply she embodied Tina’s spirit.
MacCarthy balanced vulnerability and determination with striking authenticity. One moment, she appeared fragile and worn down, and seconds later, she stood tall with fierce, unshakeable energy. You felt every stage of Tina’s journey. When Tina suffered under Ike’s abuse, you wanted to step forward and hug her. When she rediscovered her power, the entire audience lifted with her.
She didn’t just perform Tina. She honoured her truth, facing the darkest chapters head-on while celebrating the woman who rose above them. Tina would have been proud.
David King-Yombo’s chilling Ike Turner
As Ike Turner, David King-Yombo delivered one of the most convincing and unsettling villain performances I’ve seen on stage. His voice was raw and gritty, and his presence carried a tension that made every scene with him uncomfortable in precisely the way it needed to be.
The worst part is that he was captivating. You despised him, feared him and celebrated every moment Tina pushed back against him. King-Yombo didn’t just play Ike; he embodied the threat and manipulation that shaped so much of Tina’s story.
His dynamic with MacCarthy felt painfully believable. Their scenes were charged, fraught and intentionally loveless, which made Tina’s eventual rise feel even more triumphant.
A cast that completes the story
Other cast members also deserve a spotlight. Issac Elder (Roger) brought warmth and comedic timing, offering welcome relief from the intensity. Kyle Richardson (Raymond) was soft-spoken and tender, the perfect opposite of Ike’s aggression, and carried a vulnerability that made his moments quietly compelling. Claude East (Gran Georgeanna) provided uplifting support with a voice and presence that grounded Tina’s early life in love. And Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor, as young Anna Mae shone with innocence and hope, capturing the spark that set Tina’s journey in motion.
Every one of them added depth to the story and strengthened the audience’s connection to Tina’s world.
That unforgettable ovation
The finale was extraordinary. Before the official curtain call had even begun, people were already on their feet. An audience-wide standing ovation long before it was encouraged says everything about the impact of this show.
People danced, clapped and celebrated as MacCarthy performed the iconic hits, with “The Best” and “Proud Mary” proving to be true showstoppers. The conviction in that final sequence transformed the Palace Theatre into a whole concert venue.
In that moment, you realised this wasn’t simply a tribute. It was a resurrection of spirit, memory, courage and artistry.
Final thoughts
TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is unlike any other show I’ve seen. The cast, creatives and crew have crafted something genuinely magical. They’ve taken Tina’s truth and turned it into a theatrical experience that celebrates her while acknowledging the pain she endured.
As the audience poured out of the Palace Theatre, it was clear: we didn’t just watch a musical. We witnessed a journey. A healing. And a legacy brought vividly back to life.
Find all information regarding dates, cast, and venues on the TINA – The Tina Turner Musical official website.
**Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
