TINA — A Tropical Love Story | Ben Graetz

Image: Joseph Mayers

Ben Graetz describes TINA - A Tropical Love Story as combining ‘a love letter to Tina Turner,’ with a story about growing up, ‘finding your voice, your power, and your place in the world.’  The one-hour show is a passion project for Graetz, aka Miss Ellaneous, who is credited as Writer, Performer, Director, and Producer. Taking inspiration from seeing Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in both London and New York, Graetz has created a show that features their own stories and fabulous Tina lip syncs, interwoven with performances by local First Nations singers and dancers.

Image: Joseph Mayers

Any homage to Tina Turner is likely to entertain and engage, which Graetz delivers in a show that includes some of Miss Tina’s greatest hits. Audiences are given ‘permission to sing and dance,’ to be present, and to enjoy the fun. However, it is the spaces in-between, with the stories about memories of growing up in Darwin and heartfelt acknowledgements of Sistergirl Crystal Love and David Page, that ensure that this show is more than a tribute event. Graetz’s short stories are endearing and relatable windows into a life set against the background of Tina Turner’s music, and a personal journey that benefits from growing up with supportive ‘you can always come home’ parents.

TINA - A Tropical Love Story has travelled Australia, which means that each venue includes a different menu of local artists, giving the opportunity for proud families and supporters to celebrate homegrown talent. At the same time, every audience will have sung along with their favourite numbers from Tina Turner’s extensive catalogue, cheered at the moves of the ‘Tinette dancers’ (Sani Townson, Choreographer), and enjoyed Graetz’ stories and Miss Tina interpretation.

For the 2025 Brisbane Festival show, Ben Graetz/Miss Ellaneous is supported by Cleopatra Pryce and Olivia Adams (as the two Tinette Dancers), and the program features numbers by singers Garret Lyon and Kristal West, and work of dancer Roymata Holmes, and their alter-ego, Drag Diva Miss MarToya. Miss MarToya certainly conveyed the joy of ‘Simply the Best.’ Having two local vocalists in the program was a great idea, although I felt that their ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)’ duet needed a little more work. But I really enjoyed Lyon’s performance of ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain,’ and West’s interpretation of the classic ‘River Deep Mountain High.’

Miss Ellaneous & Roymata Holmes. Image: Geoff Lawrence

My favourite memories of the evening are Roymata Holmes ‘Private Dancer’ moves when interpreting Graetz/Miss Ellaneous’ fantastic Miss Tina, and of course the closing two numbers where Graetz demonstrates their ability to entertain the audience with the energetic ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘Nutbush City Limits.’ A good choice of the closing numbers, ending with the full cast on stage and everyone in the audience standing to dance along.

Tina Turner was known for her incredible and energetic dance moves, particularly when accompanied by her back-up dancers, and I would have preferred to see more of the numbers in the show performed with the support of the Tinette dancers, which would have added to the experience of each song. Being such an intimate show, I also feel it would work better in the more intimate space of a Spiegeltent or in the Brisbane Powerhouse Underground Theatre.

TINA - A Tropical Love Story is a fun one-hour cabaret showcase of First Nations’ talent that spotlights the talents of Ben Graetz/Miss Ellaneous, and gives a platform for local and emerging artists; great frocks, charming stories, excellent lip sync and interpretation, and solid musical choices. Having had the opportunity to see an excellent touring production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, I can see why Graetz was inspired to create this show. TINA - A Tropical Love Story reminds me that I should look out for future opportunities to see Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and to catch up with the latest work by our talented local drag artists.

TINA - A Tropical Love Story played at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 18-20 September 2025 as part of the 2025 Brisbane Festival.

Image: Joseph Mayers