Legends’ love story on stage

The stunning new musical Soul Sister stars the ‘sensational’ Emi Wokoma as Tina Turner, and ‘fantastic’ Chris Tummings as Ike.

The show follows the sensational journey of the duo, from the highs of their careers to the breakdown of their high- profile relationship.

Soul Sister writer John Miller trawled through hundreds of Ike and Tina Turner records to find the numbers which best represented the couple’s tempestuous relationship.

John said: “There’s a sheer intensity in the relationship, in that they are husband and wife and they are working together 24/7. There’s no break from one another. There are not many marriages that can survive that. It was absolutely intense.

“Most of the songs featured in the first half of the show were written by Ike, and it’s quite revealing the songs he wrote for Tina to sing. We knew he had a reputation as being particularly cavalier towards her, but then he would write songs for her like You Should’a Treated Me Right and I Am Blue. We realised the songs really are part of the story, and it was great going through all the records.”

As well as the musical numbers and the acting, the show uses a graphic novel-style backdrop on the stage with pictures and newspaper cuttings to give context.

Since the show is ‘inspired by the music, life and times’ of Ike and TIna Turner, John said it was important for the writers to acknowledge what was going on in the world around the stars at the time.

However, John said the emotional journey of the couple is at the heart of the story, rather than biographical details.

Ike and Tina Turner may be global stars, but there are themes in their story which members of the audience can relate to as well, and you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy it.

John said: “One thing we have found is it clearly appeals to a very wide demographic.

“Teenagers come and really enjoy it, but also people in their 60s who may have seen Tina on stage herself are really enjoying the show. The first few performances we did when we opened in Hackney, the audience was about 80 per cent black – after a few nights it was 60 per cent white. It crosses all of the barriers. Tina is an icon who is adored across the board by all, and the show is a great night out for everyone.”

>> From October 8-13 at Milton Keynes Theatre, for tickets call the box office on 08448 717652 or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes.