Some Stories Transcend Fandom. TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre

Features

Posted on March 30, 2026

There are some songs that no longer belong only to the artist who first sang them, or even to the fans who have loved them longest. They belong to all of us. So although I would not describe myself as a huge Tina devotee, it quickly became clear while watching TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre, that you do not actually need to be a big Tina Turner fan to be won over by this production.

Some songs are so ingrained in our collective consciousness that they transcend fandom, and this show certainly knows exactly what to do with them, delivering far more than a simple run-through of famous hits. The Tina spectacle is there, without a doubt, but so is the story, with enough emotional weight to stop it ever feeling superficial.

Leeds is the final UK venue on the show’s first UK and Ireland tour, so it is a polished and confident turn by all the cast members. The story follows Tina Turner’s journey from her early life in Nutbush, Tennessee, through hardship, control, ambition and charts the long road to becoming one of the most recognisable performers in the world. One of the production’s strengths is that Tina’s resilience is the anchor; so for every dazzling moment, there is also another that reminds you what it took to get there. All the bigger musical moments are threaded through Tina’s life in a way that reinforces the storytelling.

Plus, the songs really are undeniable. Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary, River Deep, Mountain High and What’s Love Got to Do With It… Even if, like me, you are not a dyed-in-the-wool Tina fan, there is no resisting a songbook like this! This is especially true in the show’s very concert-like moments, where the atmosphere shifts and the production leans into the (almost arena style) concert staging performance. Having the band live on stage as an integral part of the staging means that live-music energy ripples through the theatre.

At the centre is Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, who played Tina on press night and was truly phenomenal. It is a role that demands emotional range and star quality and she effortlessly brings both to the stage. Her performance captures the quintessential essence of Tina (the instantly recognisable posture and movement which the role requires), but never tips into pure imitation. She holds the room with effortless presence and that giant voice, giving a performance that stays with you long after the curtain call.

The wider cast deserve real credit too; all were outstanding but of real note were David King-Yombo, who brought a convincing volatility to Ike Turner, and also Claude East – who gives Gran Georgeanna a real warmth and strength. Together with the wider company, they help give the production its dramatic backbone, adding substance and emotional depth around Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi’s commanding central performance.

The visual world of the piece also deserves a mention. The costumes are part of the storytelling, marking Tina’s evolution era by era and helping trace her relationship with image, performance and reinvention. That Is exactly why the current costume display at John Lewis Leeds is a great addition and it’s worth taking the time for a closer look. A selection from the tour is on display there until 7th of April in the Click & Collect area, giving you the chance to see the detail of the costumes up close before or after seeing the show.

TINA: Tina Turner The Musical has all the ingredients people want from a night like this… scale, energy, beloved songs, visual flair and of course, a finale that absolutely lifts the roof! But it also reminds you that behind every anthem is a life, and behind every legend is a woman who had to fight to become one.