New West End cast for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical announced
Will Longman
February 16, 2022 18:46
A new cast of the West End production of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical has been announced as the musical looks to enter its second year in London, and prepares to transfer to Broadway.
Adrienne Warren, who originated the titular role in the jukebox musical, will leave the production in April to lead the Broadway transfer which opens in the autumn.
From 15th April, the role of Tina will be played by Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, while Ashley Zhangazha will take over from Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Ike Turner.
Obi-Melekwe will make her West End debut in the show. Her previous theatre credits include the off-Broadway production of Alice By Heart, and she has appeared in the television shows Smilf and Bull.
On the casting, Tina Turner said Obi-Melekwe's 'raw talent is clearly extraordinary and her determination is second to none', while director Phyllida Lloyd added, 'This role must be one of the most demanding in world theatre and requires a human being of exceptional gifts and massive inner strength: Nkeki has both.'
Zhangazha was last seen on stage in Manchester in Death of a Salesman at the Royal Exchange. In London, he has previously appeared in the West End productions of Henry V and Fences, the National Theatre productions of Pericles and Danton's Death, and Terror at Lyric Hammersmith.
Further new casting includes Irene-Myrtle Forrester as Tina's Grandmother GG, Howard Gossington will as producer Phil Spector and lyricist Terry Britten, Jammy Kasongo will play Tina's father Richard and Tina's first love Raymond, Edward Bourne will take over as record company marketing manager Erwin Bach, and Oscar Batterham will play Tina's manager Roger Davies. Aisha Jawando will play Tina at some performances each week.
The new cast will play its first performance on 19th March with the exception of Obi-Melekwe and Zhangazha, who join on 15th April.
Francesca Jackson will continue to play Ike and Tina's manager Rhonda Graam, and Maria Omakinwa will join the cast to play Tina's mother Zelma until 22nd June, when Madeline Appiah will take over.
The ensemble includes Daniella Bowen, Chloe Chambers, Joelle Dyson, Sia Kiwa, Lejaun Sheppard, Kibong Tanji, Cameron Bernard Jones who also plays Tina's son Craig and Ashlee Irish who plays Tina's son Ronnie and Joseph Richardson, and swings Gavin Alex, Derek Aidoo, Joshua Da Costa, Amandla Elynah, Hannah Jay-Allan, Angela Marie Hurst, Leisha Mollyneaux and Samuel J. Weir.
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical is booking at the Aldwych Theatre until 21st December.
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical tickets are on sale now.
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