Tina Turner musical premiere opens with a bang befitting the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Celebrities mingled with former NRL players on the red carpet in Sydney for tonight’s Australian premiere of Tina — The Tina Turner Musical. SEE THE PICTURES.

What Fashion Week? Seats at Sydney’s Theatre Royal on Thursday night were the hottest celebrity tickets in town.

The multi-award winning Tina — The Tina Turner Musical has finally arrived, and had its Australian Premiere gala performance in front of a star-studded audience that included the likes of singers Marcia Hines and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, TV presenters Melissa Doyle and Lisa Wilkinson, and Australian TV legend Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

Former NRL players Ben Elias and Wayne Pearce were also in the crowd, as was Courtney Act and Carla from Bankstown — proof that the music great touched people from all walks of life.

“I’m so excited that we are finally here on opening night and sharing the show with Australia,” Ruva Ngwenya, who plays Tina, told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to tell Tina’s story. I hope to make her, and all the Aussie fans proud.”

The show’s star Ruva Ngwenya was first on the red carpet on Thursday night for the opening of Tina — The Tina Turner Musical. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Twelve-time Grammy Award-winner Turner, now aged 83, is one of the most successful female artists of all time. She has sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer ever.

Turner sold more than 100 million albums in a career spanning six decades, with massive global hits including What’s Love Got To Do With It, Private Dancer and What You Get Is What You See.

Tim Omaji, who plays Ike. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Courtney Act. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Melissa Doyle. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Together with late ex-husband, Ike Turner, Tina had hits with tracks River Deep – Mountain High, Proud Mary and Nutbush City Limits.

Behind the glitz, Turner suffered physically and emotionally at the hands of her ex-husband, played in the show by Nigerian-born Australian singer Tim Omagi (better known by stage name Timomatic).

“After months and months of rehearsing we are thrilled to finally present this show to the country,” Omaji said, echoing his co-star’s sentiment.

“It is an honour to play the role of Ike Turner, and to help tell the story of one of the greatest of all time, Tina Turner.”

Tom Gay was excited to be on the red carpet. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Former NRL players Wayne Pearce and Benny Elias. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Marcia Hines. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The stage musical was written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and originally had its world premiere in London in April, 2018.

Turner, who retired formally in 2009, has a longstanding relationship with Australia.

Her long-time manager Roger Davies is Australian, and she fronted the NRL campaign alongside Jimmy Barnes with her track The Best in the early 1990s. The song remains an anthem for the sport.

Ngwenya-as-Tina recently recreated a seminal NRL photo shoot atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Turner also appeared alongside Mel Gibson in George Miller directed Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in which she played Aunty Entity.