Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical has roared into Milton Keynes Theatre with the electricity, grit and heart you’d hope for from a show about the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll — and then cranks it up even further.

At the centre is an astonishing performance from Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi in the title role. Vocally, she is phenomenal, delivering Tina’s iconic songs with power, control and raw emotion, never slipping into impersonation but fully embodying the spirit and fire that made Tina Turner a legend. It’s a relentlessly demanding role — she’s rarely off stage, navigating rapid costume changes, intense choreography and deeply emotional scenes — and she handles it with stamina and star quality to spare.

The production doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of Tina’s life. Her turbulent and abusive relationship with Ike Turner is portrayed with uncomfortable honesty, and David King-Yombo gives a chilling, complex performance that shows both the charisma and the cruelty of the man behind the music. In contrast, Lola McCourtie is a standout as young Anna Mae, bringing warmth, innocence and a powerful voice that makes Tina’s early years especially moving.

What makes this show more than a jukebox musical is its storytelling. We follow Tina’s journey from a child with big dreams to a woman who loses everything, then fights her way back to become a global solo icon. It’s inspiring without being sentimental, and the emotional payoff feels earned.

Then comes the finale — and it’s pure concert magic. The stage transforms into a full-blown arena show, complete with live band energy, dazzling lighting and hit after hit. The audience on its feet, singing and dancing, feels less like theatre etiquette and more like a Tina Turner gig.

A powerful, polished and exhilarating night out, this is a musical that tells a tough story but leaves you buzzing. Absolutely one to catch.