Tina (The Tina Turner Musical) - Aldwych

So glad I went! This afternoon’s matinee was fantastic - the cast all appeared at the start as per earlier in the week and Joshua Da Costa (playing Ike) read a brief statement, then asked for a minute’s silence - no bad behaviour here, you could’ve heard a pin drop.

Then the show began. Several moments choked me, particularly the point where Erwin tells her he’s staying - after everything we’d seen Tina go through in Act 1 it was moving to see her get her happy ending with a decent man. And then at the end - Kristina Love (Tina) talked about her first meeting with Tina, in Zurich when she was cast to play her. A beautiful speech and by this point I’d noticed a few others crying too.

Lovely too to see the flowers outside the theatre under Tina’s picture, and the production’s statement about Tina’s death on one of the screens outside. I’ll never forget the Tina concert I saw at Wembley and of course this show doesn’t replicate that experience, but her life story absolutely should be told and this is a fitting tribute to her resilience and talent.

The stage is very high. I’m 6’3 and it was just about bearable but I wouldn’t recommend it for shorter people  unless there are specific reasons for being there. 

I got front row from the rush on Thursday.
I did not believe the stage to be particularly high, and there is a huge gap between the front row and the stage. I’m 6ft 1 and was eye level with the stage so could see everything, but if you’re shorter you’ll obviously have a different experience.

It’s a while since I’ve been, but my recollection is that the view is excellent from the front row (I’m 5’8”).

Saw this on Tuesday evening (6 Feb). Managed to get front row seat from TodayTix. The view was really great - you do have to look up a bit but I didn't feel that I was straining my neck.

This was my second time watching the show and I enjoyed it a lot more because the seat was just better. My first time I was sat near the back of the stalls and felt like I couldn't fully enjoy the performance.

Elesha Paul Moses was on as Tina and I have to say she did a pretty good job. Some songs suited her better than others. Towards the later half, I noticed some vocal fatigue and she struggled to hit the higher notes that Tina would typically sing in that "rough" chest voice. Overall, she had a commendable performance and I truly appreciate its a tough role given the dancing involved as well.

The girl who appeared as young Tina was a delight. Other highlights for me were performances by Okezie Morro (Ike), Irene Forrester (the grandma) and Harry Harrington (Roger Davies).

There were some technical issues on the night however. First, before the end of the first half of the show though they had to stop for about 10 minutes. I overheard one lady (who said that she had seen the show like over 70(!) times previously) say that apparently it had to do with some part of the set not coming on stage. Then later on, at the end during the encore sing along section, Tina's mike started acting up (sound was going on and off) but she swiftly exchanged mikes with one of the backup singers.

Oh wow, just looked too. The weekends are barely selling any better. I guess the Aldwych will be free again soon then…

Have the prices dropped accordingly?

Tina has been struggling to shift tickets for years now, bar a few spikes in interest. It's long been the show I had pinned to close next, and yet it continues to limp on despite the obviously poor sales. I won't believe it's closing until the moment the Aldwych confirms it!

I wouldn't be surprised if Nederlander are keeping it going until someone wants the Aldwych.

Surprising that there wasn't renewed interest after Tina died last year

I'm seeing Tina the musical next Thursday 🥹🥺will be the third time I've seen the show and the first time after Tina's passing. I love this show and can't wait for the tour. Ticket was £40 in the stalls. For the matinee performance. x