Just like it was not possible to contain the Nutbush City Limits dance to just one Australian state, the same can be said about TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. When the production’s currently planned end date of 31 December 2023 is reached, it would have spent approximately half a year at Sydney’s Theatre Royal. But this won’t be the end of show’s run, with TEG Dainty announcing that the musical will be having its national tour during 2024, with planned stops at the Perth Crown Theatre (From Feb 2024), Adelaide Festival Theatre (From Apr 2024), Brisbane QPAC Lyric Theatre (From Jul 2024) and finally the Melbourne Princess Theatre (From Sep 2024).
Produced by Paul Dainty and TEG Dainty through a collaboration with Stage Entertainment, Tali Pelman and the late Tina Turner herself, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical sets out to tell a comeback story like no other, of a performer who defied the bounds of her age, gender and race to become the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
In commenting on this announcement, Paul Dainty had this to say:
I first heard about the possibility of a stage musical portraying Tina’s life 8 years ago and I immediately reached out to Tali Pelman at Stage Entertainment. At that point there was no script and no book however I was hooked on the idea of it. We have been on that journey ever since, and here we are today announcing the Australian tour! Australians love this theatrical masterpiece which tells the story of Tina’s life, of empowerment and success, and is ultimately the best music industry comeback story of all time.
Additionally, Tali Pelman added:
I know Australia was very close to Tina’s heart, so we are especially excited to announce our show will be touring. Our musical is about how Tina became not only the music icon we adored, but the woman who continues to motivate and inspire us today. Everything about Tina was unique – her heart, her story and of course her voice – and we can’t wait for all of Australia to experience her journey and her triumph through our show.
The current cast of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical features Ruva Ngwenya in the titular role, with the role of Ike Turner filled by Tim Omaji. Other principal cast members include Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy as Tina Turner alternate, Ibinabo Jack playing Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Deni Gordon as Tina’s Grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG) and Nadia Komazec as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam. Jayme-Lee Hanekom plays Tina’s sister Alline Bullock and one of the Ikettes, Augie Tchantcho plays Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Rishab Kern as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Matthew Prime as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Mat Verevis as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, John O’Hara as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten and Blake Erickson as musician Martyn Ware and Carpenter.
Ensemble members include Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Nicholas Eaton, Abu Kebe as Ronnie, Jenni Little as Toni, David Mairs-McKenzie as Craig, Emily Nkomo as an Ikette, Gus Noakes, Kristin Paulse, Ilana Richardson, Tendai Rinomhota, Noel Samuels, Ina Seidou, Rebecca Selley as an Ikette and Tigist Strode as an Ikette.
Ticketing information can be found via the show’s official website – including a waitlist for news when tickets are made available. It is planned for the four new legs of the tour to commence ticket sales in September 2023 – the 5th for Perth and Adelaide, and the 28th for Brisbane and Melbourne.
