Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Edinburgh Playhouse and Touring

Picture: Johan Persson

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical was reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse where it continues until 22 November 2025. The tour continues until 4 April 2026.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi as Tina Turner (on press night) is outstanding in this production. The finale presents Tina at the very top of her game – the ultimate diva working her magic in a live concert.

Turner was involved in the creative process of developing the show, first performed in London seven years ago. The book is by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins and it flies along at an almost relentless pace, leaving no room for pause of thought.

From her early life as the daughter of a violent preacher in Nutbush, right up to her fame with husband Ike Turner (David King-Yombo) when she endures further cruelty, she is a victim in isolation with no clear way forward.

In performance, the young ‘Tina’, real name Anna Mae Bullock, is played with endearing enthusiasm by Lola McCourtie. Her relationships with her family are distant, except for her sister and grandmother, beautifully played by Mariah Martinez (later playing Craig, one of Tina’s sons) and Claude East.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, there seems to be a few missed opportunities that could elevate the show from being good to becoming excellent. Certainly, there could be so much more from the ensemble in terms of choreography and movement to build atmosphere and support the narrative.

Pivotal moments in Tina’s life could be highlighted more. Finding her faith through Buddhism, for example, is underplayed, making the ‘Nam myo-ho renge kyo’ chant somewhat obscure to many.

The songs are frequent – 23 in all – and cover Turner’s hits alongside contemporary work including ‘Nutbush City Limits’, ‘River Deep – Mountain High’ and ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’. Her Vegas stint is represented by ‘Disco Inferno’ in literally blinding staging!

There are two outstanding scenes: recording with Phil Spector and studio sessions in London with Heaven 17. But both of these are eclipsed by the stunning finale: ‘Simply the Best’.

In summing up the production, Tina Turner herself is quoted as saying: “We turned poison into medicine.” Her story endures through this show and must give hope, inspiring those who struggle.

Fiona Orr