The smash hit TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is set to open at Melbourne’s iconic The Princess Theatre on Thursday October 3rd 2024 and will be the final stop for this production’s tour, with a closing performance bound for January 26th, 2025.

Parenthesy director, Cameron Grant, was invited to photograph the media call held on Tuesday October 1st and capture three numbers from the musical in a performance that didn’t hold back!

In Australia, the coveted role of Tina Turner is played by Ruva Ngwenya who has been gracing our stages since her early years with her first professional role in 2013 as Shenzi in The Lion King.  Ruva has performed in a string of successful musicals; We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ragtime and Moulin Rouge The Musical, solidifying her as one of musical theatre’s most sought-after performers.  In her role as Tina Turner she has garnered many accolades including Marie Claire’s Rising Star Award, Sydney Theatre Awards Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical Award and was Nominated in the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical.

The role of Ike Turner is played by NAACP Award-Winning actor and playwright Giovanni Adams, and after moving to Australia in 2023, he is thrilled to be making his Australian stage premiere in TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

The company performed three numbers from the musical, including the iconic ‘[Simply] The Best’ that is so loved and cherished in Australian culture. Resident Director, Leah Howard, said at the commencement of the day that…

“Our love for Tina came to us through football, it is why we as Australians are so in love with her and her music all because of this wonderful song and this wonderful collaboration with our NRL.” – Leah Howard, Resident Director

Watch Ruva Ngwenya take the stage and perform ‘[Simply] The Best’ in this epic archive video captured by Cameron at the media call.

The TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL cast also includes principals Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy as Tina Turner alternate, Ibinabo Jack playing Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Deni Gordon as Tina’s Grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG) and Nadia Komazec as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam.  Jayme-Lee Hanekom plays Tina’s sister Alline Bullock and one of the Ikettes, Augie Tchantcho plays Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Rishab Kern as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Matthew Prime as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Mat Verevis as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, Matthew Hamilton as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten and Blake Erickson as musician Martyn Ware and Carpenter. Ensemble members include Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Nicholas Eaton, Abu Kebe as Ronnie, Jenni Little as Toni, Loredo Malcolm, David Mairs-McKenzie as Craig, Emily Nkomo as an Ikette, Gus Noakes, Kristin Paulse, Ilana Richardson, Tendai Rinomhota, Noel Samuels, Rebecca Selley as an Ikette and Tigist Strode as an Ikette.

Tickets for TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL go on sale October 4th, and can be purchased by heading to www.tinathemusical.com.au

Images and video captured by Cameron Grant.

To get in contact or submit a booking enquiry, navigate to our Contact Page.