Tina - The Tina Turner Musical announces new principal cast
Simply the best news! ✨
The hit West End production Tina- The Tina Turner Musical which is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and was produced in association with Tina Turner herself, announces new principal cast members joining the musical, which has been running in the West End for 6 years, making it the longest running show ever to run at the Aldwych Theatre.
From Tuesday 25th June 2024 Karis Anderson, who is currently starring as Tina Turner, will share the role with new cast member Zoe Birkett. Rolan Bell will join the show to play Ike Turner.
Ensemble members are Lauren Allan as Toni, Turrell Barrett-Wallace as Tina’s son Ronnie, Joey James as Tina’s son Craig, Zara MacIntosh as Lorraine and Thomas Sutcliffe as Carpenter, the Ikettes are played by Morgan Broome, Amara Campbell and Abiola Efunshile and swings are Richard Appiah-Sarpong, Jenna Bonner, Ana Cardoso, Junior Delius, Livvy Evans, Ewan Grant, Imogen Rose Hart, Llewellyn Jamal, Amy Punter, Ellie Seaton and Samuel J Weir.
Children’s casting includes Janai Bartlett, Shyanne Ononiwu and Ezmai Robinson as Young Anna Mae Bullock, Melody Caruana, Tamilore Lawson and Tahlia Olarewaju as Young Alline Bullock and Ayden Beale, Ezra Williamson and Jamal Watson-Ramsay as Young Craig.
Further new cast members to be announced.
Producer Tali Pelman said “We are absolutely thrilled that Zoe and Rolan will be joining Karis to lead our company from 25th June. Having just celebrated our 6th birthday in the West End, we continue to be extremely proud of the whole company who tell Tina’s incredible story and blow the roof off the Aldwych Theatre 8 shows a week!”
Karis Anderson has been playing the role of Tina Turner since June 2023 and was previously a member of the ensemble. Her other theatre credits include Diana Ross in Motown (UK Tour), PP Arnold in All Or Nothing (Ambassadors) and Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin (Jordan Productions).
Zoe Birkett most recently appeared in Roald Dahl’s The Witches at the National Theatre after playing the lead role of Rachael Marron in The Bodyguard UK Tour. She was an original member of the West End cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical playing the role of Arabia, for which she won a BroadwayWorld UK award for ‘Best Supporting Performer in a Musical.’ Zoe’s other West End theatre credits include The Great British Bake Off Musical (Noël Coward Theatre), Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Palace Theatre), Hair (Munich & Piccadilly Theatre), Tommy (Prince Edward Theatre), Rent (Greenwich Theatre) as well as originating the female lead in Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre and International tour).
Rolan Bell was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2015 for his portrayal of Delray in Memphis at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. His other theatre credits include Robert in The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre, West End), Earnest in Shebeen (Nottingham Playhouse), King Gerald in Rapunzel (Park Theatre), Britney Spears in We Will Rock You (West End/International Tour), Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), the title role of Fela (National Theatre) and much more.
Tina - The Turner Musical is directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins. The musical is choreographed 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.
To book tickets for the hit musical you can visit the Tina Turner musical website.
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