Leeds

“What’s Love Got to Do with It?”: A Story of Survival at Leeds Grand Theatre

Declan Kelly Declan Kelly - 19th March 2026

An unflinching and empowering portrait of Tina Turner’s life.

Bringing the life of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll to the stage, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical arrives at the Leeds Grand Theatre with an energy that is both electrifying and deeply affecting. More than just a celebration of Tina Turner’s iconic career, this production offers a powerful portrayal of the hardship she endured and the extraordinary strength it took to overcome it.

While the musical is packed with well-known hits, it is the story behind them that leaves the greatest impact. From her early years to her rise to global stardom, the production lays bare the reality of Tina’s life, particularly the abuse and control she experienced at the hands of Ike.

These moments are handled with care but never softened, forcing the audience to confront the emotional and physical toll of her journey. It is this honesty that gives the show its real power this is not just a story of success, but one of survival.

Image: Supplied

A standout element of the production is the use of a younger Tina to show the early stages of her life and career. These scenes reveal her vulnerability, ambition, and the experiences that shaped her resilience, giving crucial context to her struggles with Ike and making her eventual empowerment all the more powerful. From hopeful, constrained performer to fiercely independent icon, her journey feels earned and deeply moving.

At the heart of the show is Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi, whose portrayal of Tina is nothing short of extraordinary. She captures every facet of the performer from vulnerability to fierce determination allowing the audience to fully experience Tina’s lowest moments as well as her eventual rise.

Image: Supplied

Opposite her, David King-Yombo delivers a chilling performance as Ike, embodying the manipulation and control that defined their relationship. Their dynamic is deeply uncomfortable at times, but essential in highlighting the magnitude of Tina’s resilience.

Equally striking is the musical’s staging and visual storytelling, which mirrors Tina’s emotional journey. Intimate early-life moments and larger-than-life concert sequences are enhanced with lighting, set design, and choreography.

Iconic numbers such as “Disco Inferno,” “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “Private Dancer” are brought to life with golden disco balls and soaring spotlights, celebrating her rise while reflecting her transformation from oppression to empowerment. These moments are met with overwhelming audience enthusiasm, making Tina’s struggles and triumphs feel immediate, immersive, and unforgettable.

Image: Supplied

The only area that felt slightly less polished was the stage combat. While the physical tension between Tina and Ike was effective in conveying conflict and control, some of the choreography occasionally felt a little uneven, which momentarily pulled focus from the emotional intensity of those scenes. Even so, these moments were brief and did little to diminish the overall impact of the production. 

By the final moments of the production, Tina prepares once more to take the stage, the narrative comes full circle the show ends the same way it began, with Tina getting ready for her gig. This framing is both thoughtful and powerful, giving the audience a moment to reflect on and celebrate the journey they have just witnessed.

Having experienced her struggles, triumphs, and transformation, the audience is invited to share in the exhilaration of her performance, turning the theatre into a concert-like celebration of resilience, empowerment, and music. As Tina herself, who worked on the production before her passing in 2023, described on opening night, the show is “poison turned into medicine.”

Ultimately, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is a story of empowerment forged through adversity. For audiences at the Leeds Grand Theatre, this is more than a night at the theatre; it is an emotional, inspiring, and unforgettable tribute to a woman who refused to be defined by her past.

Running until 4 April. Tickets available now here.

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.

Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.

Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.

So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.

Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.

There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.

And trust us, it is magic.

There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.

Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.

Read more: An Italian-American ‘paninoteca’ and diner serving stacked subs has opened in Leeds

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.

'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.

This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.

Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.

The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.

Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.

There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.

Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.

As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.

Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.

The Script UK tour dates

  • Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
  • Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
  • Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
  • Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
  • Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
  • Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
  • Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
  • Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
  • Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2

The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.

Featured Image - Publicity Picture (Supplied)

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