On a cold, dark January day a message pinged on my WINK WhatsApp from Fed, “we have a few pairs of complimentary tickets for TINA, the musical, send an email with your details.” I thought, ‘why not?’ And lo and behold I won the tickets just two days later!
I grew up listening to Tina Turner as that’s what my parents liked, so I was very familiar with her songs, but had no idea about Tina’s story or her journey to fame.
The musical was ‘simply the best’, telling the story of little Anna-May and her loud voice singing in church, her difficult relationship with her mother, Ike Turner and his terrifying control over her, his band, the racism she (and Ike and the band) faced along the way, and eventually her success as a solo artist. Between the drama Tina’s songs were sung with passion and energy like you’ve never seen before. There were snippets of comedy as well as tear jerking moments too.
But the finale, well that was just spectacular.
I never had the chance to see Tina Turner live, but honestly, I felt her there during that final performance!
The audience were on their feet and rocking out with the live band and the amazing Zoe Birkett who plays Tina delivers a career-making performance as Tina Turner belting out Simply The Best, Proud Mary and many other hits.
Even if you don’t know your Nutbush City Limits from your River Deep Mountain High, you need to see this musical.
Lucy, WINK Rayleigh