Simply the best, (maybe) better than all the rest

Ruva Ngwenya… a formidable singer, dancer and actor, captures the very essence of Tina Turner so skilfully that one soon becomes bewitched into thinking it’s Tina Turner on stage. 
Photo: Daniel Boud

“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical". At Theatre Royal Sydney until October 22.

by Bill Stephens

THERE are many reasons not to miss this musical even if you haven’t been paying attention to the career of Tina Turner.

Firstly, there are the songs. In a career that spans more than 60 years, Tina Turner became one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, selling more than 100 million records worldwide, winning 12 Grammy Awards along the way. 

But how Tina Turner accomplished this is not the main focus of this musical, nor is the show simply a concert of her hit songs.

Instead, “Tina – the Tina Turner Musical” turns out to be a deeply affecting revelation of the path carved out by Anna Mae Bullock, who married musician Ike Turner and became world famous as Tina Turner, and what she endured in her determination to become a world-famous singer. 

Of course, all the best songs are there, but how they are woven through the story is just one of the fascinations.

Then there’s the astonishing performance of Ruva Ngwenya. This is a career-defining role for her; in much the same way as the role of Peter Allen defined the career of Todd McKenney. 

Though not physically “Tina”, Ngwenya is a powerhouse performer. A formidable singer, dancer and actor, she captures the very essence of Tina Turner so skilfully that one soon becomes bewitched into believing Tina Turner is in the room. 

No newcomer though, Ngwenya has been honing her craft since making her theatrical debut in “The Lion King” in 2013. And though she’s performed supporting roles in major musicals such as “We Will Rock You”, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and most recently, “Moulin Rouge”, it seems as though she’s just been marking time until this role came along, and when it did, she was so ready for it.

She captures perfectly Turners guttural growls and stratospheric high notes, while performing a succession of demanding dance routines, lightning-quick costume changes, even enduring confronting domestic abuse episodes, then after a dazzling finale, creates an indelible memory by pulling out even more stops in a series of thrilling encores, giving the distinct impression she could do the whole show again, no trouble. It’s a performance you won’t forget.

Tim Omaji, cast against type as the loathsome Ike Turner, reveals himself as a formidable dramatic actor. Photo: Daniel Boud

But there’s more. Almost as impressive is former Canberran, Tim Omaji cast against type as the loathsome Ike Turner. Like Ngwenya, Omaji, previously known as dancer, Timomatic, has been attracting attention in roles such as Tyrone in “Fame”, Benny in “In the Heights” and Toulouse-Lautrec in “Moulin Rouge”, but as Ike Turner he reveals himself as a formidable dramatic actor.

Among the fine supporting cast, Ibinabo Jack as Zelma Bullock, Mat Verevis as Roger Davis, Matthew Prime as Erwin Bach, John O’Hara as Phil Spector and Nadia Komazec as Rhonda Graam are stand-outs, while 10-year-old Amara Kavaliku, as young Anna-Mae, delighted with the strength of her strong singing voice, which hinted at the voice which would eventually lift Tina Turner to world fame. 

While the musical bio is no longer a novelty, the clever way songs associated with Turner’s career are woven through a strong dramatic narrative, enhanced by excellent set and costume design by Mark Thompson, imaginative choreography by Anthony Van Laast and the definitive direction of Phyllida Lloyd, all ensure that “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” besides paying tribute to the strength and endurance of the person who inspired it, but will also remain an inspiration and treasured memory for those fortunate enough to experience it.

First published in Canberra City News, May19, 2023