Soul Sister
Recently Updated
Unleashing "Soul Sister" on the West End
"Soul Sister" is a vibrant jukebox musical that hit London’s West End at the Savoy Theatre, opening on August 23, 2012, following previews from August 20, and running until September 29, 2012, for a limited season. Written by John Miller and Pete Brooks, with direction by Pete Brooks and Bob Eaton, it celebrates the life and music of Ike and Tina Turner, featuring a score packed with classics like “Simply the Best” and “River Deep Mountain High.” Produced by Bill Kenwright and John Miller, the show starred Emi Wokoma as Tina Turner, earning her a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Actress, and was nominated for the 2013 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Born at Hackney Empire in April 2012, this soulful spectacle brought Tina’s electrifying journey to Theatreland with heart and grit.
A Tale of Rhythm and Resilience
The musical traces the rollercoaster saga of Ike and Tina Turner, opening with their fiery meeting in a St. Louis club in the late 1950s. Anna Mae Bullock soon christened Tina by Ike joins his band, and their chemistry ignites hits like “A Fool in Love.” As fame soars through the ’60s and ’70s, their marriage crumbles under Ike’s abuse and control, depicted with raw honesty. Tina’s escape and triumphant solo rebirth in the ’80s capped by a mini-concert finale form the emotional core, blending triumph with tragedy. It’s a narrative of passion, heartbreak, and a woman’s unbreakable spirit, told through the songs that defined an era.
A Creative Soul Explosion
Devised by Miller and Brooks, "Soul Sister" sprang from a desire to stage the Turners’ story, with Bob Eaton co-directing and Jason Pennycooke handling musical staging. Keith Strachan supervised the music, arranging Ike and Tina’s hits with a live band and four Ikettes for authentic flair. Laura Hopkins’s designs evoked gritty clubs and glitzy stages, while Wokoma’s Tina backed by Chris Tummings as Ike delivered vocal and dance fireworks that critics hailed as star-making. After a sold-out Hackney run, the Savoy transfer leaned into its soul roots, spotlighting African-American resilience amid civil rights struggles, a fresh angle for the jukebox genre.
A West End Whirlwind
Following its Hackney Empire debut from April 14 to May 5, 2012, "Soul Sister" stormed the Savoy Theatre, replacing The Sunshine Boys. Critics were mixed but warm The Evening Standard called Wokoma “rawly emotional yet regal,” though some found the plot lean. Its 40-performance West End stint drew Tina fans and newcomers, fueled by word of mouth from its East London triumph. A 2013 UK tour, again with Wokoma, hit cities like Ipswich and Dublin, earning raves “full of heart and soul” (Ipswich Star) proving its legs beyond London. The Savoy run, though brief, marked a high note, cementing its cult appeal.
Hits That Ignite
The score is a Tina Turner treasure chest: “Proud Mary” rolls with infectious energy, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” simmers with defiance, and “Private Dancer” aches with vulnerability. “Nutbush City Limits” and “Respect” nod to her roots, while “We Don’t Need Another Hero” soars in the finale. Performed live with a band and Ikettes, the music captures Ike’s R&B grit and Tina’s rock-soul evolution no official cast album exists, but the Savoy’s sound was a party in itself. These anthems drive the story, turning each show into a foot-stomping tribute to a legend’s catalogue.
A Soulful Legacy
"Soul Sister" didn’t match Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’s later West End longevity (2018 onward), but its 2012 debut carved a niche. Post-Savoy, the 2013 tour stretched to Holland, while its Hackney-to-West End arc inspired jukebox musicals tackling Black stories. Wokoma’s star turn launched her career, and the Olivier nod affirmed its craft. Unlike the film What’s Love Got to Do with It, it skips biopic depth for stage energy, a choice that kept it raw and immediate. Today, it’s a fondly recalled precursor to Tina’s broader theatrical canon, a funky footnote in her towering legacy.
Why "Soul Sister" Resonates
"Soul Sister" hooks with its unfiltered dive into Tina Turner’s highs and lows a soul-baring jukebox ride that’s equal parts heartbreak and triumph. Its West End moment at the Savoy was a fleeting blast, marrying killer choreography with a voice Wokoma’s that roared like Tina’s own. It’s a gritty, joyous salute to resilience, appealing to fans and theatre buffs craving something real amid polished fare. For London, it was a summer fling with soul a show that danced through pain to deliver a standing-ovation celebration of an icon’s spirit.