I can tell you the last time TINA TURNER performed here in South Wales, I’ll never forget it because I was at the Celtic Manor and was told she was staying in a suite on the floor above me. Having just witnessed a blinding gig that night, for some reason I was mightily impressed I was that close to her.
There is something about Tina Turner which does that to her fans, even now.
Following the death of Tina a chance to relive those great songs, and have a flavour of her incredible stage presence, seems truly fitting now.
The UK’s original, award-winning Tina Turner tribute – TOTALLY TINA …. aka JUSTINE RIDDOCH and her talented cast are returning to South Wales next week with a packed schedule in the diary.
Following the announcement of Tina’s passing we called Justine to get her thoughts on this amazing woman. You can hear that interview here – REMEMBERING TINA.
Justine is not just a Tina Turner tribute, those who have seen her live are full of praise for her incredible performance as Tina.
NORTH WEST END – “Close your eyes and Tina was there, open them and she was still there! Justine and her dancers and band are outstanding. Totally TINA! is Totally Terrific. A fitting tribute in every way with pure passion pulsing through the whole performance.”
UK THEATRE NETWORK – “This really is a fantastic evening and you’d swear that you were watching the real Tina in action.”
When Tina burst onto the scene, she won the hearts of music fans from the outset, creating a fearsome reputation for her live performances – and those never-ending legs!
Early hits River Deep – Mountain High, Proud Mary and Nutbush City Limits were just a taste of what was to come. We Don’t Need Another Hero, Simply the Best, What’s Love Got to Do With It, I Don’t Wanna Lose You and When the Heartache is Over propelled her to stadium concert stardom.
Recreating Tina’s look is one thing, but the sound and atmosphere is something else.
Before we tell you more about the show and a bit of Tina nostalgia, let’s meet the star of Totally Tina herself, Justine Riddoch. We chatted over Zoom, for much longer than our interview below and she is great. She’s from Liverpool you see, and she likes a chat as much as we do here in South Wales.
We talked about the tour, and her time during lockdown, but started with a trip back to the very beginning and asked her how she became ‘TOTALLY TINA’.
Supported by her super-talented band and dazzling dancing girls in sequins, feathers and diamonds, Justine is the ULTIMATE Tina (a National Tribute Awards winner since 2013). She’s got the looks, she’s got the moves, she’s got the legs, but most of all, she’s got THE voice.
Twelve years have passed since Totally Tina first sprang to life in the vibrant city of Liverpool, but a Lifetime Achievement Award and many other prestigious accolades along the way have earned Justine’s ‘Totally Tina’ a deserved top spot in the musical tribute world.
Justine admits she has been observing her beloved muse from the start; constantly honing her homage to the legend herself with passion and an unrivalled attention to detail, to deliver the most authentic recreation of the rock and roll Queen’s live performances.
She’s determined the Show will always be known as ‘Simply The Best’, which is particularly fitting as 2019 was the 30th Anniversary of the much-loved song of the same name, released in 1989.
The cast and crew of Totally Tina are pulling out all the stops this year with the promise of a brand new, custom-made performances featuring a whole host of fresh ideas, coupled with the band’s now famous humour.
The Show is designed to make the audience feel that the legendary performer is right back in front of them, strutting her stuff on the most famous legs in show business!
This year’s production is a heady mix of nostalgia and surprise with all the favourite Tina Turner hits, her best duets, much-loved covers and the odd twist in the tale. As we mentioned earlier, this tour will be a special tribute to one very special woman.
Jumping Jack Flash, Honky Tonky Woman, Get Back, It’s Only Rock and Roll and The Bitch is Back have been added to a set which includes Simply The Best, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and Private Dancer to name a few.
All the songs are enhanced by the customary flourish of sparkling stiletto heels, flamboyant tail feathers, high energy dance routines and musical genius. There’s plenty of audience engagement and post-show ‘meet and greets’ too, making the Show more personal.
In fact, it’s probably the closest thing to a live Tina Turner concert, as you can see from the pictures below.
Justine, a past winner of cult talent show, Stars In Their Eyes performing as Anastacia, is known in the business for her enthusiasm and drive, and has been singing professionally for 30 years. She is justifiably proud of her cast and crew who’ve played a huge part in helping her to create the longest running Tina Turner tribute.
Justine told us…..
“I am thrilled by the success of this production – we have come so far! Having been told on many occasions that I sounded like Tina, I decided to take the plunge and then spent hours familiarising myself with her life story and scrutinising video footage to watch mannerisms and body movements.
We always add our own personality to the Show each year; the element of surprise keeps things fresh, but my ultimate aim is to remain faithful to a Tina Turner live concert paying tribute to her career, and bring the best version of this amazing woman; her voice, her passion and even her legs, to her many fans.
That’s why we love it when people tell us that they go away feeling as though they have seen the real thing.”
Totally Tina has been the ultimate Tina Turner tribute for the past seven years, from 2013 to 2019 winning Best Female Artist, Best Choreography, Best Sound & Lighting and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the NTMA, and in 2020 winning Best Tribute at the NREA.
The band plays to audiences all over the country and in Europe, and has performed at the Cover Festival in Davos, Switzerland (Tina Turner’s new home country) for the last 2 years.
Justine said……
“We love what we do, and we’re lucky enough to have an incredibly loyal army of fans here and overseas. We hope to be meeting many more new fans this year.”
South Wales Life dropped in to The Riverfront in Newport when Totally Tina played last year and I can tell you we, and the audience went absolutely wild for Justine and the entire band and dancers. It was a top class show and one we can highly recommend you catch if you can.
They return to a regular venue for them, The Riverfront in Newport tonight, Wednesday 9th October at 7:30pn. Details and tickets for that show are available HERE.
The following evening, Thursday 10th October, they’re back at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot at 7:30pm. Details available HERE.
We also understand they’ll be back at the Swansea grand in 2025 on the 22nd February – more details on that date soon.
You can check out more about the show on their site TOTALLY TINA and take a look at their Facebook page HERE.
