Producers Bill Kenwright and John Miller are pleased to announce the cast for the smash-hit U.K. tour of Soul Sister, the new musical inspired by the music, life and times of Ike and Tina Turner, which caused a sensation in the West End. The show will visit the Liverpool Empire from 5th-10th August 2013.
Taking on the role of Tina Turner is Jenny Fitzpatrick. Jenny’s numerous theatre credits include Katisha in Hot Mikado (Upstairs at The Gatehouse, Highgate); Nala in The Legend Of The Lion King (Paris); Ronette in the highly acclaimed production of Little Shop Of Horrors (Menier Chocolate Factory and Duke of York’s), Billie in Our House (Birmingham Rep and U.K. Tour)and Mimi in a gala performance of Rent at the Garrick Theatre.
Playing the role of Ike Turner is Chris Tummings. Trained at the Anna Scher Theatre whilst also being a member of the Old Vic & Young Vic Youth Theatres, Chris made his professional debut in Mustapha Matura’s play Welcome Home Jacko in 1979. Chris was a founder member of the Black Theatre Co-operative (BTC) that produced a large number of plays throughout the 1980’s, which toured the U.K., Europe, the United States and South Korea to critical acclaim. Chris also wrote and starred as a lead performer in the award winning stand up and comedy sketch show Get Up Stand Up. His other television Credits include The Bill (I.T.V.), Doctors (B.B.C.), Holby City (B.B.C.), and most recently Death In Paradise (B.B.C.).
Tina Turner is arguably one of music’s greatest ever live performance and recording artist ‘divas’, and was named “One of the greatest singers of all time” by Rolling Stone Magazine. With a career spanning over 50 years, her combined album and single sales total approximately 180 million copies worldwide. She has won 9 Grammy Awards, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, amongst many other accolades and honours.
On the role of Tina Turner, Jenny Fitzpatrick said, “Tina Turner has been one of the biggest musical influences in my life, probably since the first time I heard her singing River Deep Mountain High when I was a kid, so it’s an absolute dream to play her in Soul Sister.”
Soul Sister was devised and directed by John Miller and Pete Brooks; designed by Laura Hopkins, with choreography by Jason Pennycooke, and musical staging and additional choreography Carole Todd. The musical supervisor and arranger is Keith Strachan and features all the classic Tina Turner hits including What’s Love Got to Do with It, Proud Mary, the Mark Knopfler written Private Dancer, River Deep Mountain High and Simply the Best. The story follows the highs, lows, passions and heartbreak of Ike and Tina as their careers soared whilst their marriage crumbled, ultimately leading to Tina being catapulted to superstardom and heralded as one of the greatest solo artists of all time. Full of heart and soul, electrifying choreography, and stunning musical numbers, Soul Sister is sure to have you on your feet, partying the night away.
Tickets for Soul Sister are available from the Liverpool Empire Box office, by telephone on 0844 8713017 or at www.atgtickets.com/liverpool. Tickets are priced from £10.