Interview with Ruva Ngwenya – the lead star in ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’

The electrifying production Tina: The Tina Turner Musical has been setting theatres ablaze, currently on at Perth’s Crown Theatre and featuring one of the most energetic casts I’ve seen on stage. The show features explosive performances, not least from the its key star, Ruva Ngwenya.

Ruva plays Tina to a ‘T’ and brings with her stage experience from iconic productions including ‘The Lion King’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’, and ‘Moulin Rouge: The Musical’. It’s fair to say she’s equipped for this grand role.

The production has had audiences standing and applauding before it has even ended, and features all of Tina’s major hits including Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, Private Dancer, What’s Love Got To Do With It and Better Be Good To Me.

Before her passing, Tina Turner actually had great things to say about Ruva, telling Woman’s Weekly, “Ruva is a beautiful performer who I know will bring her own joy and soul to this role. She joins a wonderful unique group of women that are my Tinas … and I’m proud of each and every one of them.”

Here, Ruva chats with Cream about putting on the Tina look, taking on the Tina voice, and generally getting a kick out of playing one of music history’s greatest stars.

Interview by Antonino Tati

Hi Ruva. Congratulations on taking on such a prestigious role on stage. What are your earliest memories of Tina Turner? When did you first encounter her music and videos?

I first encountered her as a child. Mum was watching the ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ music video on TV and we were both in awe of her style. She really had a unique look. A few leather skirts where purchased during that era, for sure! I actually sang a Tina Turner number in a high school musical for the first time in year 10. River Deep, Mountain High. That was a very special childhood moment that shifted my outlook on music and what I could achieve.

What do you think you did in your audition for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical that sold you to the audition panel?

I would say a mixture of things. It’s a long process and a lot of work went into auditioning, including vocals, dance and scene work. And all three [areas] had to be fantastic! It was definitely a journey. But the panel really helped me grow through the audition process, and in the end I would say my vocal abilities, along with the growth I showcased in my scene, and the dance auditions were impressive and inspiring .

On stage, will you be performing Tina songs like Tina, or adding your own signature style to them?

It’s definitely a mixture of both. It’s about finding the blend to ensure we honour and celebrate Tina’s musicality and style while also bringing your own charisma and charm to the role. The musical breathes new life into he iconic music we know and love.

How much research do you do when going into a production like this?

A lot a lot a lot. I soaked up as much footage and information about her that I could get my hands on! Read all her books and enjoyed the process immensely. She was such an incredible woman who truly lived different lives and reimagined herself so many times!

“I soaked up as much footage and information about her that I could get my hands on! Read all her books and enjoyed the process immensely.”

Were there any details about Tina’s life that surprised you?

Her spirituality was beautiful to learn about, and it really helped me understand how she was able to overcome all that she did.

What are your three favourite Tina Turner songs?

River Deep, Mountain High; Nutbush City Limits; Simply The Best. These three songs make me feel so happy when I sing them.

Did you study a lot of Tina’s music videos and live performances to perfect her moves?

Ha ha, yes, a lot of YouTube clips and documentaries, music videos, all of it. You have to study hard to get it into your body so that when you get on stage you can be free and let it flow naturally.

When I interviewed the real Tina and asked if she liked to party on after a successful show, she said “When I’m back at the hotel, I have a hot bath, a massage, and sometimes a bowl of Cornflakes or maybe a bit of a salad.” What do you do after a successful show – celebrate or wind down?

Wow, Tina! Cornflakes?! [Laughs]. I will have a shower, stretch my body a little more. Definitely having some protein – chicken is the go-to. And a nice cup of liquorice tea. Then I’d chill out, watch some Netflix, and before you know it, I’m asleep.

The Perth season of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical starts Tuesday 27 February, 2024.
Tickets are available here.

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