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The Tina Turner Musical at Palace Theatre, Manchester – simply the best

Aimee Woodcock

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical has landed in Manchester, with a run of shows at the Palace Theatre taking place all the way into 2026.

And on opening night last week, the show lit up the Palace Theatre with a fierce, emotional and utterly captivating performance that charted Tina’s extraordinary life from her childhood in Nutbush to becoming the queen of Rock and Roll.

The cast delivered a knockout evening, bringing humour, heartbreak and sheer power to a story that truly earns its standing ovation.

Leading in the role of Tina, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy was nothing short of phenomenal, capturing both the raw vulnerability of teen Anna Mae Bullock and the unstoppable force of the icon she became. Her vocals were electric, presence magnetic – a true tribute to Tina herself. 

Opposite her, David King-Yombo’s portrayal of Ike Turner was chilling, layered and deeply impactful, grounding the story in its difficult truths without overshadowing Tina’s resilience. 

Strong support from Martin Allanson (Phil Spector), William Beckerleg (Erwin Bach) and Isaac Elder (Roger Davies) rounded out a perfectly balanced cast. Special mention also to Tina Brice (young Anna-Mae) who belts out every vocal with ease, a true honour to watch her on the stage. 

The musical beautifully weaves Tina’s life through her legendary discography. Opening with “Nutbush City Limits,” we step straight into her Tennessee childhood before moving through her early performing days with high-energy numbers like “Shake a Tail Feather” and “A Fool in Love.” The tension rises with “River Deep – Mountain High,” a defiant, goosebump-inducing moment that marked the beginning of Tina reclaiming her voice.

Act Two dives into reinvention, beginning with a vulnerable and reflective “Private Dancer,” before ramping up to the hits that defined her solo career. “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and “Proud Mary” was a standout – tender and triumphant all at once, while “The Best” closed the night with every person in the theatre on their feet. 

This production doesn’t sanitise Tina’s story – it honours her strength, her fire, and her refusal to break. Emotional, electrifying and delivered with absolute heart, it’s a must-see tribute to a woman who truly was… simply the best.

Read more

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• Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year

Featured image: The Manc Group

The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line

Daisy Jackson

New plans are being considered that could bring trams to Stockport at last.

Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council are developing a business case to extend the tram network to Stockport from East Didsbury.

There are proposals to make use of the ‘underused’ Denton rail line, connecting Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport.

Technical work on the first stage of the business case is underway, with plans to submit the case to the Department for Transport next year.

Work could begin before the end of the decade.

It’s thought that some of these plans, including using the line through Denton, could transform connectivity for thousands of residents and businesses across Greater Manchester.

The first step in the process is exploring a ‘core’ extension from the existing Metrolink stop at East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.

But another idea and future extensions includes using tram-train technology to run beyond Stockport town centre, connecting Tameside and Manchester Airport.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We’ve a bold plan to deliver a decade of good growth for Greater Manchester, one that benefits every part of the city region. Developing the Bee Network and delivering better bus, tram and train connections will be fundamental to our growth story.

“For too long, Denton has been overlooked and by working up the tram-train option to connect Denton and the wider area to the Metrolink is a big step toward unlocking opportunities for local residents and businesses.

“We’re committed to extending Metrolink to Stockport and beyond as part of our efforts to connect all our districts to the tram network and delivering a truly integrated transport network for everyone.”

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton & Denton, said: “For years I’ve campaigned, alongside the local community, for improved transport links to Denton and across the constituency. I’m delighted that as part of the Metrolink extension plans, TfGM are looking seriously at using the rail line as an option for tram-train services.

“Improved connectivity is key to opening up opportunities for our people and communities, and supporting the growth ambitions across the city region.

“I’ve long campaigned for better transport links for Denton, and I’m delighted TfGM is looking seriously at this rail line as part of the Metrolink extension plans. This could be transformative for our community, improving connectivity and supporting growth across the area.”

Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, said: “Since my election to the House of Commons in December 2019, I have been pushing the Government to fund the extension of Manchester’s Metrolink tram network into my constituency of Stockport, and I thank the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor and Transport for Greater Manchester for backing the extension to our town centre.

“This will be a significant boost for Stockport’s connectivity and local economy, helping people to get to work, school and healthcare appointments more easily and sustainably as well as unlocking new homes and jobs.”

Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Eleanor Wills, said: “The options being developed to utilise the Denton rail line to expand Metrolink and better connect Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport have the potential to be truly transformational.

“The Ashton Mayoral Development Zone is an exciting and vital opportunity to unlock Ashton’s potential, providing new homes and quality jobs. With even better transport links we can set ourselves up to for good growth for many years to come.”

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Roberts, said: “I’ve always said when it comes to MetroLink that it should be “Next Stop Stockport not Last Stop Stockport” to the help deliver the ambition we have -the delivery of Metrolink and improving public transport connectivity across the borough and Greater Manchester is something we can all get behind.”

With Greater Manchester embarking on a decade of good growth, the city region is committed through the Greater Manchester Strategy to developing a transport system for a global city region – with 90% of people within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes.

Earlier this year, the government awarded Greater Manchester £2.5 billion through Transport for the City Regions funding for a pipeline of projects including a tram line to Stockport and tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops and modern new interchanges.

The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects.

Metrolink is already the UK’s largest light rail network, with 99 stops connecting seven of the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. Record numbers of people are also getting onboard, with 45.6million trips made in 2024 – up from 33.5m trips in 2022.

Read more: Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for ‘once-in-a-generation’ upgrade

Featured image: TfGM