For years, fans in Cardiff have been asking the same question. When is Tina coming to the capital? The wait has finally ended. TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL has arrived at the Wales Millennium Centre, where it runs until 28th February, and judging by the reaction last night, it has been worth every second of the anticipation.
We have followed the show’s journey for some time, even featuring it in our earlier coverage and YouTube film, and there has always been a sense that this production would strike a chord in South Wales. Tina Turner’s relationship with the UK is well documented. At a time when her American career had stalled, it was British audiences who embraced her, championed her, and helped relaunch her as a global superstar. Watching her story unfold here in Cardiff feels fitting.
You can watch our video HERE.
Just for a bit of context, Tina herself last played in the capital on Sunday 9th July 2000 at the Principality Stadium, with John Fogerty in Support. What is so great about this show is that you really feel part of Tina is back in town, especially as she was so hands on in the staging of the original production.
From the opening moments, the show makes it clear that this is not just a jukebox celebration of familiar hits. We meet young Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, a child with a huge voice and even bigger determination. The production carefully charts her transformation into Tina Turner, tracing every step of a journey that was as painful as it was triumphant. The casting of the younger Tina is handled beautifully, giving us a glimpse of the raw talent and steel that would define her.
As the narrative moves into her early career and the formation of the Ike and Tina partnership, the tone shifts. The musical does not gloss over the darker chapters of her life. Her time with Ike Turner is presented with honesty and sensitivity. The abuse and control that defined that relationship are shown in a way that is hard to watch at times, but it is handled with care and respect. It gives the later moments of liberation and reinvention far more weight. You feel the cost of her success.
It’s very rare that you feel an audience so invested in a persons life that they feel driven to shout support from the seats. That’s exactly what happened last night, with some of the audience shouting ‘come on Tina‘ as she finally fought back on Ike’s abuse.
ELLE MA-KINGA N’ZUZI who plays Tina carries an enormous responsibility, and she rises to it. She captures the physicality, the voice, and, crucially, the spirit of Tina Turner. It would be easy to focus purely on vocal power, but what makes this performance stand out is the emotional truth running through it. From the young woman trying to be heard to the global icon who refuses to be beaten down, we see every layer.
The supporting cast deserve equal praise. DAVID KING-YOMBO portraying Ike brings charisma and menace in equal measure, making the character compelling without softening the reality of his behaviour. The ensemble work is tight and energetic, particularly in the concert sequences which burst with colour and movement. Costume and lighting design play a huge part in transporting us from smoky clubs to international arenas, and the transitions are handled smoothly, keeping the story flowing without losing momentum.
Of course, this is a show built around a soundtrack that most of us could sing from memory. Proud Mary, River Deep Mountain High, What’s Love Got to Do with It, The Best. They’re all here, woven into the narrative rather than feeling bolted on. When we reach the part of Tina’s life where she arrives in the UK and begins rebuilding her career, there is a real sense of homecoming. British record executives and audiences are shown as instrumental in giving her a second chance. For a Cardiff crowd, that connection lands strongly.
The band, under the direction of SARAH BURRELL deserves special mention. They are exceptional. The sound is rich and powerful without overwhelming the vocals, and they capture the grit of early rock and soul alongside the polished anthems of the eighties. Live music can make or break a show like this, and here it elevates it. You can feel the bass in your chest and the guitars bite in all the right places.
As the story builds towards Tina’s resurgence and global domination, the atmosphere in the Donald Gordon theatre shifts. By the time we reach the final numbers, we are already halfway to our feet. When the curtain call comes, the cast receive a standing ovation that feels completely earned. And then comes an extra treat. Instead of quietly bowing out, the company launches into a full concert style finale. It is an invitation, not a suggestion. We are encouraged, actually make that told to stand, sing, clap, and dance. Believe me, we didn’t need asking twice. It was an incredible closing ten minutes to a superb night.
It’s in those final moments that you see the true impact of the show. People of all ages are on their feet. Long time fans relive the soundtrack of their youth. Newcomers discover just how many of these songs they already know. It becomes less about theatre etiquette and more about shared celebration.
What makes this production so satisfying is its balance. It celebrates the music without ignoring the struggle. It honours Tina Turner’s resilience without turning her into a caricature of strength. It reminds us that behind the sequins and stadium lights was a woman who endured extraordinary hardship and still found a way to rise.
For a South Wales audience who have waited so patiently, this run at the Wales Millennium Centre feels like a milestone. It’s not just another tour stop. It’s a story about perseverance, about finding your voice, and about a British connection that changed everything.
If you’re already a Tina Turner devotee, you will leave with a full heart and sore hands from clapping. If you’re new to her story, you’ll walk out with a River Deep understanding of the woman behind the hits and probably a few songs stuck in your head for days.
This is a powerful, honest and electrifying celebration of a woman who refused to give up, delivered with heart and a whole lot of soul.
TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is at Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 28th February. Tickets are on general sale –HERE. Just to warn you they are few and far between and at some performances only single seats remain.
Just be aware that the story doesn’t hold back, hence the age guidance: 14+ (no under 2s). The performance does contains strobe lighting, loud music, gun shots, haze and scenes including violence and domestic violence.
TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is dedicated to the memory of Tina Turner, who sadly passed away in May 2023.
