Review | TINA - The Tina Turner Musical | Manchester Palace Theatre | 27 November 2025

From monumental highs to devastating lows and back again, few people have a story quite as remarkable as Tina Turner. Turner’s iconic catalogue provides more than a soundtrack, with the story itself being so powerful that we are reminded of what the jukebox musical format can achieve.

What really elevates 'Tina - The Tina Turner Musical'  is its refusal to sanitise the darker chapters of her life, with the production fully leaning into the grittier elements. Nowhere is this clearer than in the portrayal of Ike Turner, which could have easily been played as an almost pantomime villain. David King-Yombo avoids this completely by allowing us to see and feel all sides of Ike, from charismatic to violent and everything in between. This not only humanises him but makes King-Yombo’s portrayal feel believable whilst being all the more chilling.

Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy is extraordinary as Tina Turner, delivering a genuinely unforgettable performance. Having previously played the role in the Australian production, it is clear she deeply understands the role, which she alternates with Elle Ma-Kinga N'zuzi. Never feeling like a tribute act or cheap imitation, MacCarthy captures the spirit of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll and sounds incredible as she does it. Certain moments between the lead couple are deliberately uncomfortable to watch, but it is MacCarthy’s vulnerability in these moments that makes her performance so gripping.

The score is packed with all the hits audiences expect, but perhaps not all in the way they expected. Numbers like act one closer ‘I Don’t Wanna Fight’ are woven so seamlessly into the narrative that you forget they weren’t written for the show, allowing them to have more of an emotional payoff. Others such as ‘The Best’ are performed as full stage performances, giving fans a nostalgic slice of Tina Turner again. The balance between these two different ways of delivering the music is done perfectly.

It almost touches brilliance, but cracks start to show when you look beyond the performances and bones of the show. Whilst it is unfair to expect a carbon copy of the original West End production on tour, the set feels noticeably sparse. A large screen does most of the heavy lifting in terms of scene setting, with minimal props leaving the large Palace Theatre stage feeling bare. Had the projections been more dynamic or detailed, they may have compensated, but instead they come across as underwhelming. Much is forgotten come the final performance, complete with onstage band, concert staging and powerful lighting which is guaranteed to have audiences leaving with smiles on their faces.

With some truly astounding performances, it is impossible not to be moved by this story of resilience and determination. Tina Turner may no longer be with us, but this show keeps her legacy alive in a way that will appeal to both lifelong fans and those discovering her incredible story for the first time.

'Tina - The Tina Turner Musical' is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 3 January 2026.

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Note: My ticket was gifted in exchange for a review. This review is based on my honest opinion alone and is without influence.