There’s only one and will ever be only one Tina Turner but TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, now playing at Victoria’s Royal Theatre, introduces the audience to the two women embodying the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Packed with hits, the jukebox musical, directed by Phyllida Lloyd with book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins, first introduces the audience to little Anna Mae Bullock (played by Auset Jones & Claire Davy, alternating) in her small Southern home town of Nutbush, Tennessee. A precocious 10 year old, with a voice beyond her years that’s set free when belting a church gospel, much to the chagrin of her domineering mother Zelma, (played by the commanding presence of K. Bernice), who abandons the youngster in the hands of her supportive Grandmother (Eva Ruwé). This young vocal powerhouse would of course grow up to become the legendary Tina Turner that we know and love – played with unbelievable energy by a sensational Darilynn Burtley, making the audience believe they’re in the thrall of the icon herself.
Much more than a tribute, the award-winning TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is a gritty look, warts and all, into the life and times of the musical trailblazer. From her early days being discovered as a teenager by rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Ike Turner, played by Monty Kane delivering an overwhelmingly powerful and gritty turn with the erratic energy of a man framed by ghosts of his past – family tragedy, abandonment and racism – and driven to achieve fame at all costs. Giving Anna Mae his surname for her stage-name leads to their rise in the charts as The Ike & Tina Turner Review. After years of touring, their subsequent marriage and the horrid abuse that the drug addicted, jealous, womanizing Ike inflicted on Tina she finally breaks free. After (the intermission and) a period of struggling to make ends meet, life turns around as the now middle-aged Tina make a name – her name – for herself with one of the greatest comebacks in music history. Aided by her new Australian manager Roger Davies (Hans José Mueh), supported by former manager and steadfast friend Rhonda Graam (played by Eleni Kutay, who also offers up humourous cameo as Toni Basil) and future second husband Erwin Bach (Keemar Robert Davis) the second chapter of her life brims with hope and overflowing strength.
Though jarring, the scenes of domestic and self abuse are sensitively handled but important steps in the journey. Set against these scenes of her life, the memorable music finds even deeper meaning with the two dozen songs each taken from her vast catalogue of originals and covers each seamlessly moving the story along. The iconic showstopping numbers like River Deep Mountain High, Proud Mary, and What’s Love Got to Do with It? stimulate memories as they echo live and televised performances etched in rock history. Wrapping up with hope for her future with Erwin and reminiscences of her Guinness World Record breaking Rio de Janeiro concert capped with a powerful version of The Best, it’s hard to believe how much of a legendary life has been packed into the brisk three hour presentation. However, it’s not over yet as Darilynn Burtley, the band and company close the show with a concert-style encore of Nutbush City Limits and Proud Mary. Astonishing not just for the powerful delivery of a performance that brings the audience to their feet but for the fact that there is still this much energy left in the cast’s tanks and Burtley belting the most quintessentially Tina Turner-moment – performing live in front of awe-inspired fans.
Though the tours’ first stop in Victoria was beset with some typical opening night foibles in sound and lighting they were no where near anything that wasn’t overcome by the captivating Burtley and company. Simply one of The Best nights of musical theatre you will want to catch TINA while you can!
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical presented by Broadway in Victoria, runs until January 11, 2026 with five more performances at The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St, Victoria, BC. Visit broadwayinvictoria.com for more details and tickets.