Review: Soul Sister – Ipswich Regent

The latest West End show to come to the stage of Ipswich’s Regent theatre is the jukebox musical Soul Sister.

Inspired by the life and times of Ike and Tina Turner the musical starts backstage at the Ritz Ballroom, New York in 1985 where a nervous Turner waits to make her first major live solo performance.

The clock then turns back to 1956 as Tina, played by Emi Wokoma, tells her life story from the times as an innocent and nervous 16 year old auditioning for Ike Turner through to the 80s when she is a world-wide star.

As soon as the show opened in the West End the critics heaped praise on former Casualty actress Emi Wokoma and from the first number to the very last it’s obvious that this praise is well-founded.

Emi is amazing, as she auditions for Ike Turner the power of her voice almost knocks you back in your seat.

The Ike and Tina story is a turbulent one, a story of innocence, love, high passions and lows as their marriage and career crumbles.

It’s a story that has been well documented and the performance does not shy away from the violent and seedier side. The inclusion of the Beatles “Help” takes on an added poignant feeling when given the Tina treatment.

Chris Tummings deserves mention in his role of Ike who verges on musical brilliance to troubled and violent man.

The show features 24 songs including all the hits from the Turner career and a few numbers lesser known to British audiences, but all backed by a powerful live band of musicians.

Of course the star of the show though is Tina a powerhouse of a performer, however perhaps it should be said really the show belongs to Emi who at times surpasses Miss Turner herself.

If you love gutsy, powerful music you’ll love it, if you are a Tina Turner fan you must not miss it!

— MARK KEABLE — Ipswich24 Magazine

IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
13-18th May, 2013
Box Office 01473 433100
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