IT'S not easy task for a touring show to fill up the Assembly Rooms' spacious auditorium on a Monday evening on the first of a six-night run. Even more of a challenge is to get everyone up on their feet and singing for the last 20 minutes of the performance yet, the cast of Soul Sister – a show inspired by the life and career of soul diva Tina Turner - managed to just that.
There were few unused seats for the two-and-a-half musical extravaganza, which re-visited the comprehensive catalogue of Ike and Tina Turner's classic R&B hits from the early 1960s through to 1975, as well as Tina's much celebrated solo career from the mid-70s onwards.
In the leading role Emi Wokoma did an incredible job of re-creating the vocals, dance moves and persona of Tina Turner who, we discover, left her Nutbush home at the tender age of 16 to try to make a singing career for herself.
The singer's early life was set against the political unrest of the black civil rights movement in America – poignantly screened onto the stage backdrop with gritty images of the time. It was a tough time for independent black artists to make their mark.
"Our music is too white for blacks to listen to it but too black to appeal to the whites," laments band leader Ike.
Even so, his musical talent, astute business mind and driving work ethic combined with Tina's dynamic stage presence, made the Ike and Tina Turner Revue a force to be reckoned with, soon propelling them into a life of fame and fortune.
It is well-known, that things in the Turner garden were far from rosy during the 20 years of their life together, however. Ike's perpetual womanising, violent temper and drug taking takes its toll on the resilient Tina who eventually finds the strength to leave him and rebuilt her life and career.
Tina's decision to stand up for herself provoked a resounding cheer from the women in the audience, but the show was even-handed in its portrayal of the troubled Ike, evoking a degree sympathy and respect for his talents too.
Their relationship provides the back story to the amazing music which came out of the partnership. It is the songs, accompanied by a live band, which dominate the evening though - climaxing with Tina Turner's triumphant rousing anthem. 'Simply the Best'. And, after two-and-half-hours of raw, gutsy, live music, which faithfully replicated the sound and energy of the original performances, no one in the audience was arguing with that.
SEE THE SHOW
WHAT: Soul Sister
WHERE: Assembly Rooms
WHEN: Until Saturday, April 20.
ADMISSIONS: £18-£33
TICKETS: Call 01332 01332 255800 or visit www.derbylive.co.uk
