London’s West End Theaters to Dim Lights in Memory of Tina Turner
Theaters in London’s West End will dim their lights at 7pm local time on Thursday in memory of Tina Turner, who died on Wednesday.
Hannah Essex, co-chief executive of the Society of London Theatre and U.K. Theatre, said: “The theatre world pays tribute to the immense talent and impact of Tina Turner. She has inspired countless generations through not only her pioneering music career, but her ability to break down barriers in the face of adversity. She will be greatly missed.”
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“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” is currently playing at the Aldwych Theatre, located in the heart of the West End, London’s theatre district. Kristina Love plays the iconic singer in the musical.
When they found out the news of the singer’s death, Love gathered the cast on stage and broke the news to the audience during the show’s interval. Love said: “Tina would be partying in heaven tonight and would want the show to carry on.”
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Tina Turner has passed away today,” an actor from the show told the audience. “Words can’t express the feelings of our company, so we look at each other and we look to you, in this moment today, right now, to tell this woman’s remarkable story.”
Set to the soundtrack of Turner’s greatest hits, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” is written by Olivier Award and Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the Phyllida Lloyd.
Turner, who had a lengthy run of ’60s and ’70s R&B hits and struck major pop stardom in the ’80s, died Wednesday in Switzerland. She was 83.
“Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” her representative said in a statement to Variety.
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