Chanel Haynes in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, London. Picture: Manuel Harlan
Over 200,000 new tickets are being released for the West End production TINA – The Tina Turner Musical with the current booking period at the Aldwych Theatre now extended up to 18 December 2022.
The news of the extra ticket release was accompanied by the announcement of a partnership with Refuge as the national domestic abuse charity celebrates the 5oth anniversary of the opening of the world’s first domestic abuse refuge.
A special performance of the hit show on Sunday (10 October) will include a pre-show reception which will be attended by the production’s alternate Tina, former pop star Chanel Haynes (lead singer of New Orleans-based group Trin-i-tee), an active supporter of Refuge. Throughout the month of October anyone booking tickets through the production’s website will have the opportunity to add a £3 donation per booking for Refuge.
Commenting on the production which marked her West End debut and her support for the charity, Haynes said: “When I got the call that I had been chosen to play Tina in our musical. I was going to live my dream. But there was one thing I didn’t prepare for – how to properly channel the physically-abusive aspect of her life.
“I asked a dear friend of mine who survived her abusive past to reveal to me and pour into me her pain. After hearing her story, I vowed, I would use this opportunity to shine light on those that need it most. That’s when I found Refuge. Refuge is a lighthouse, and I want to be one of God’s daughters that fuels its flame.”
Announcing the partnership with Refuge, the musical’s producer Tali Pelman said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Refuge in their 50th anniversary year and we hope our charity performance will help to highlight and amplify their hugely important work.
“Tina Turner has led an extraordinary life and we hope our show serves as a legacy of her inspirational message and her triumph over adversity. We are looking forward to a very special afternoon.”
On behalf of Refuge, CEO Ruth Davison said: “Tina Turner epitomises the thousands of women Refuge supports every day – women who are resilient and, like Tina, are survivors of domestic abuse. With one in four women across the country experiencing domestic abuse at some time in their lives, this is an issue that should concern us all.
“Refuge is delighted that the Tina Turner Musical team is raising awareness and funds for our vital life-saving and life-changing work at this wonderful West End gala event.
“Fifty years ago, Refuge opened the world’s first refuge – yet still domestic abuse remains rife across the country today. Refuge wants women to know that if they are experiencing domestic abuse they are not alone and that we are here to support them.
“Thank you to the cast and the production team for supporting our work – together we are shining a light on domestic abuse and ensuring women across the country know how they can access support.”
The London production reopened at the Aldwych in the summer with Aisha Jawando (Motown The Musical, Shaftesbury Theatre, The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) and Jammy Kasongo (Grand Hotel, Southwark Playhouse, Hair, The Vaults) heading the cast as Tina and Ike Turner.
Commenting on the return of the hit show, the musical’s superstar subject, Tina Turner said earlier this year: “Music has had the power to pull me out of my darkest moments and rejoice during my happiest. To announce the re-opening of our West End show, where my musical had its premiere, means so much to me.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Tina family and our fans from around the world for their continued love and support during these unprecedented times. Let my story be a celebration, a reminder of our resilience and our ability to overcome hardship together.”
The critic and crowd-pleasing production received its world premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in April 2018 where it broke all box office records. Written by award-winning writer Katori Hall (The Mountaintop) with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, the show’s creative team includes choreographer Anthony van Last, set and costume designer Mark Thompson, musical supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting designer Bruno Poet, sound designer by Nevin Steinberg, projection designer Jeff Sugg and orchestrator Ethan Popp.
In November 2019 the Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The production is due to resume performances on 8 October.
Angela Thomas
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