Theatre News

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith to play Ike Turner as further casting announced for Tina the Musical

The actor portraying Ike Turner and the supporting cast have been announced

Aisha Jawando, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Gerard McCarthy
Aisha Jawando, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Gerard McCarthy

Further casting has been announced for Tina – The Musical, joining the previously announced Adrienne Warren, when the show opens in 2018.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith will play Ike Turner, Tina Turner's former husband. Holdbrook Smith's previous credits include Hamlet at the Barbican and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at the National Theatre.

Madeline Appiah (Hamlet, Almeida) will portray Tina's mother Zelma Bullock, Lorna Gayle (A Tale of Two Cities) will play Tina’s Grandmother GG, Tom Godwin ( City of Glass) plays record producer Phil Spector and lyricist Terry Britten, Francesca Jackson (Kiss Me Kate) plays Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam and Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) Tina’s sister Alline Bullock.

Natey Jones (One Love: The Bob Marley Musical) will play Tina’s father Richard Bullock and Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Gerard McCarthy (The Merry Wives of Windsor) as record company marketing manager Erwin Bach and Ryan O’Donnell (Sunny Afternoon) as Tina’s manager Roger Davies.

They are joined by ensemble members Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Keisher Downie, Kit Esuruoso who also plays Tina’s son Craig Hill, Jammy Kasongo, Sia Kiwa, Jason Langley, Kayleigh McKnight, Baker Mukasa and Tanisha Spring and swings Derek Aidoo, Gavin Alex, Edward Bourne, Candace Furbert, Hannah Jay-Allan and Rodney Vubya.

The show follows Turner's life, beginning in Nutbush Tennessee and ending with her transformation into the global star. The piece is presented in collaboration with Turner herself.

The musical will be directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Katori Hall, with choreography by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. The show is still to announce its child casting.

Tina the Musical runs at the Aldwych Theatre from 17 April, with previews from 21 March.

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