A few months before my recent trip to England to visit my Soul Sister Mel, I had read Tina Turner’s biography “My Love Story”. It was such a fascinating read!! I cannot recommend it enough.
Towards the end of the book, she references “The Tina Turner Musical” which had just opened in the United Kingdom. While I was certain Mel’s love of Tina would not rival mine, she was instantly on board.
Our Adventure started with a 45-minute train ride into dowtown London. After a celebratory champagne cocktail at the Waldorf Hotel, we made our way across the street to the beautiful Aldwych Theatre. Where we promptly parked ourselves Front Row centre!
Welcome 
The Cheap Seats
I admit I was initially disappointed when we were instructed “NOT to sing along, till the very end.” That being said, it was to everyone’s’ advantage that I wasn’t allowed!! (When my son was 2 years old: “Mummy no sing”.)
The cast of talent on that stage was phenomenal!! Nkeki Obi-Melekwe was beyond incredible! She channeled Tina so perfectly! Right down to her entire physique and none stop booty shaking. And oh that Voice!!
As Mel had not yet read the book, she was surprised by the intensity of the violence shown towards Tina, and there were several instances when the language made us both cringe. It was also for these exact reasons, that I so thoroughly enjoyed the show. They did not tame it down at all. It was all exactly factual. Afterall, one cannot change history, no matter how uncomfortable. (And I am a firm believer that sugar coating dark times helps no one).
https://tinathemusical.com/uk/
For the entire show, I was wildly chair dancing and lip synching to every song. My enthusiasm must have caught Tina’s attention, as she sang an entire chorus of ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ directly to me. It was flippin’ AWESOME!!!
(Did I mention, that we were so close we could see up her skirt….)
The ‘band’ at the end did not disappoint either. While the entire audience rocked out with Tina, I’m sure Mel wished I had kept my voice inside my head.
We had so much FUN, that I even bought my first ever ‘band’ t-shirt. (Which works quite well for ‘casual Friday’ at the office).
The night ended with us wandering along the River Thames,
followed by wine and delicious street food. Which of course, resulted in us missing the last train……. But no worries. That is what taxies are for.
The only disappointment, was that we didn’t wear these beauties……..
How perfect would that of been?!?!?
