Tina Turner musical will reveal ‘hidden secrets’ (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

The new Tina Turner musical will reveal hidden secrets about the rock ‘n’ roll legend, the show’s lead star has confirmed.

Broadway actress Adrienne Warren, who will play Tina in the musical, made a private appearance with Tina at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden to speak to the press ahead of the musical opening next March.

‘There are secrets she hasn’t told yet,’ Adrienne explained when pressed about why Tina, who technically retired seven years ago, agreed to be involved in the musical.

Tina Turner and Adrienne Warren in London promoting the Tina musical (Picture: Getty Images)

‘She [Tina] has more to tell her fans about her story, and that’s why we’re doing this,’ Adrienne revealed.




Earlier in the night Tina announced that Adrienne would play the lead in the musical.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, Adrienne Warren!’ Tina revealed as the US star of the stage walked in to a packed room of industry professionals and press.

‘Pretty good, huh?’ Tina added while standing next to 30-year-old Adrienne, who looked casual in black figure-hugging shorts and a simple white top.

Adrienne Warren will make her West End debut in Tina (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

‘I told her that she looks very much like my sister, prettier,’ Tina said as the pair shared the stage.

Beforehand, Tina insisted that singing must preside over ‘dancing’ or ‘energy’ for the lead role, explaining: ‘Forget the dancing, and the energy – she has to sing!’

Adrienne Warren is already a noted Broadway star, although she will make her West End debut in the new musical.

Tina and Adrienne launched into a medley of Tina songs on stage.

‘I wore flat shoes!’, retired Tina said before singing – then allowing Adrienne to lead the vocals on hit tracks including Simply The Best.

Adrienne Warren will play Tina in the musical (Picture: PA Wire)

Throughout the short preview of the show, Tina mostly sat to the side of the stage in a supporting capacity while Adrienne revealed her best Tina vocals.

Later in a press conference Adrienne admitted that matching Tina’s killer voice had been the biggest challenge. ‘It’s not my voice, and that’s what people know her for, her voice,’ Adrienne revealed.

‘As soon as you hear that music that voice sticks out to you, and I have to find that voice within my own. It’s a process, how do I keep that and not lose my own voice; it’s very interesting doing a piece like this,’ she went on.

Tina producer Joop van den Ende, Tina Turner, actress Adrienne Warren, director Phyllida Lloyd and producer Tali Pelman (Picture: Getty Images)

‘She is strength, power and grace personified – especially for women of colour. She’s the first time I realised I could grow up and have dreams that would take me all over the world. I wouldn’t have become a performer if it wasn’t for Tina Turner,’ Adrienne said.

Adrienne recently starred in Shuffle Along at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway, for which she was Tony Award nominated. Other roles include Bring It On The Musical at St. James Theatre, and Dreamgirls at the Apollo.



Other major details about the new musical were also revealed. Tina had a big part to play in choosing the tracks for show, and the musical will largely be biographical, telling the story of Tina’s life, rather than focusing on fictional elements.

‘It’s inspiring because it shows that no matter what obstacle comes your way,’ Adrienne went on say, ‘whether it’s your family not supporting you, whether it’s bullying, whether it’s domestic violence – don’t ever let that stop you from achieving what you want to do in life, achieving your dream. She [Tina] is proof of that’.

Tina opens at the Aldwych Theatre March 21 2018.

MORE: A Tina Turner musical is in the works and it will be Simply The Best

MORE: The best new London theatre openings this November including Big Fish, classic David Mamet and immmersive theatre