Aisha Jawando to take over role of Tina Turner in West End musical

Aisha Jawando will take over the lead role in Tina - The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre later this year.

Jawando, who is the current alternate Tina Turner playing the role on  Monday evenings and Thursday matinees, will take over from Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, who is leaving the production to join the cast of the Broadway transfer which opens later this year.

The musical premiered in the West End in 2018 starring Adrienne Warren in the titular role. Warren, will star in the Broadway premiere at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, and Obi-Melekwe will join the company in New York to play Tina at certain performances.

Jawando, who originally played Tina's sister Alline Bullock in the production, said: "I have loved being part of this show from the very beginning, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play this exceptional role.

"Tina Turner is such an inspirational woman and I hope that I continue to make her proud."

Turner herself commented on Jawando's casting, saying: "I first met Aisha during early rehearsals for our show.  She was in our original West End Company playing my sister Alline and I loved her performance.

"It has been special to watch her journey with us and see the development of her extraordinary talent.  I am so pleased that Aisha will now lead our company through its next chapter here in London."

Jawando's previous West End credits include Motown at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych and The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Casting for the West End production also includes Ashley Zhangazha (Ike Turner), Madeline Appiah (Zelma), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Tina at some performances), Irene-Myrtle Forrester (Grandmother GG), Howard Gossington (Phil Spector/Terry Britten), Francesca Jackson (Rhonda Graam), Ava Brennan (Alline Bullock), Jammy Kasongo (Richard Bullock/Raymond Hill), Edward Bourne (Erwin Bach) and  Oscar Batterham (Roger Davies).

The musical is based on Turner's life, and chronicles her rise from humble beginnings in the small town of Nutbush, to becoming a worldwide music icon, and features many of her greatest hits including "Proud Mary", "What's Love Got to do With It?" and "Private Dancer".

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical is booking at the Aldwych Theatre until 11^th January 2020.

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical tickets are available now.

_{Photo credit: Manuel Harlan}