Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical comes to Milton Keynes Theatre as part of its first-ever UK & Ireland tour. After several glorious years in the West End, Tina proved itself an iconic hit with audiences of all ages. The tour kicked off back in Leicester in March last year, and with such a legacy behind both the show and the woman herself, the question stands: does this UK tour live up to that standard?
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| Photo by Johan Persson. |
The music is undeniably incredible. The score doesn’t just showcase Tina Turner’s legendary catalogue: it actively elevates the storytelling, carrying us through each chapter of her life with real emotional weight. And of course, the megamix at the end is always a crowd pleaser, luckily giving those special audience members we’ve all encountered their moment to shine. I must say, the audience where I was sitting were very well behaved, which is always a bonus at this kind of show.
The story of Tina’s life is every bit as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. The show doesn’t shy away from the hardships she and her family faced, with some of her lowest moments landing with real impact. The end of Act One, in particular, hits home with levels of desperation that people may not always associate with celebrities. Tina herself is such a massive feat of a role that it’s alternated between two actresses, and honestly, I can’t wrap my head around them doing four shows a week, let alone any nutter who could manage eight.
On this occasion, Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi was just on the money. I don’t think she put a foot wrong. I believed her from the very start and rooted for her at every turn. Her vocals were some of the best I’ve heard, and I truly think the queen herself would be in awe. Be sure to catch Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy in the role as well, who I’m sure is equally as fabulous.
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| Photo by Johan Persson. |
Supporting performances are equally strong. David King-Yombo as Ike is as scary and villainous as can be, delivering a chilling portrayal that makes for uncomfortable but essential viewing. In contrast, Georgia Gillam shines as Alline Bullock, bringing such gorgeous warmth and sweetness to the role. I also loved the Ikettes (D’Mia Lindsay-Walker, Alana Robinson and Sedona Sky) who bring fierce energy, slick harmonies and plenty of attitude whenever they’re on stage.
The lighting in this production is epic and exactly what it needs to be, standing proudly alongside the West End version and living up to expectations of what a Tina Turner musical should look and feel like. Mark Thompson’s costumes look gorgeous on the Milton Keynes stage and fit each time period perfectly. Thompson also designed the set, which does its job effectively, even if it doesn’t always fill the space.
Director Phyllida Lloyd and choreographer Anthony van Laast have worked in real harmony to create such a wonder on stage. It’s a heartfelt love letter to the queen herself while still placing the talent of the cast firmly in the spotlight. It would be easy for this to feel like just a tribute, but the cast and crew’s dedication has made it its own thing entirely. The show genuinely gives new meaning to Tina being “simply the best.”
That said, I did feel the Milton Keynes stage was just a bit too big for this particular set, with a background screen sometimes serving as the only scenic element in certain scenes. I saw the London production over three years ago now, so I’m unsure if this is the same setup, but it did leave the stage feeling rather empty at points. I also found the second act slightly weaker than the first. Perhaps that comes from the lesser-known songs or the more sombre period of Tina’s life being explored, but I definitely felt more gripped by the opening 75 minutes. That’s not to say the second half is boring; the megamix is absolutely astounding, but I did find myself a little less engaged.
You can catch TINA – The Tina Turner Musical on the final stops of its UK tour until April 4th, 2026, and if you’re after powerhouse vocals, iconic hits, and an inspiring story of resilience, this one is still very much worth your time.
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TINA: The Tina Turner Musical continues at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 7th February 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/tina-the-tina-turner-musical/milton-keynes-theatre/
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| Photo by Johan Persson |
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