updateThe audience at the musical Tina in London’s West End heard on Wednesday evening during the intermission that the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll had died. The entire cast took to the stage to share the news, causing dismay in the audience. Leading actress Kristina Love explained why the show had to go on right now. A small day later the musical started with a minute of silence.
The performance about Turner’s life had its last performance in the Netherlands after three years last February, but the show can still be seen in London. This was also the case on Wednesday, when it was announced that the world star had died at the age of 83. The news came during the break and will have reached some of the audience on their phones, but the makers couldn’t assume that.
“You can imagine why we are all standing here before you,” said one of the actors at the Aldwych Theater after the entire cast had appeared on stage. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Tina Turner passed away today. The feelings of our company cannot be expressed in words.”
Show continues
Although an audible shock went through the room, the atmosphere should not be sad. With a striking anecdote, actress Kristina Love, who plays Tina, explained why. “In 2018 I met Tina Turner. It was my birthday. I came in and she sang Happy Birthday for me. She went above and beyond to put me at ease about the challenge ahead, to play her.
,,She said to me: ‘Kristina, if you don’t imitate me. There will always be only one me and one you. Find yourself in my story.’ And that’s why we’re here tonight, from all different backgrounds, race and nationality. Because one woman fearlessly lived her life, from the cotton fields to international stardom. You experience her story and her music. So tonight we’re going to party. Because we know there’s a very big party in heaven.”
Read on under Kristina Love’s anecdote:
Crying cast
As difficult as that must have been for everyone present and the cast – it worked out. “The second half was definitely a celebration of her great life,” said Abi Garrido (25) from Newcastle, who was in the audience. Daily Mail. “The atmosphere was so special. It’s indescribable, you felt the emotion in the air.” It felt surreal to see the cast and crew cry. “I felt so sorry for them, I couldn’t have done it.”
At 8 p.m. Thursday night, West End theaters dimmed the lights in tribute to Turner, reported variety. The cast of Tina held a minute’s silence on Thursday before the afternoon show, the first since Turner’s death. Together with the public, the deceased iconic singer was commemorated.
Read also: Tina Turner’s legacy is far from just musical: ‘She is the face of women with domestic violence’
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Tags: performance Tina Turner musical London death begins minute silence Tina Turner passed
