Just as the legendary Tina Turner shone brightly on stage, a Gqeberha child is proving that she is also simply the best.
After landing a lead role in the international touring theatre production of Matilda The Musical, Myla Williams, 11, is now starring in Tina — The Tina Turner Musical at London’s iconic West End theatre.
The show, which runs until June, is a jukebox musical featuring the music of the queen of rock n roll, and depicts her life from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her transformation into a star.
Myla plays two roles — a younger version of Turner’s older sister, Alline Bullock, and that of Turner’s son, Craig, when he was a child.
Myla and her family relocated to the UK from Gqeberha six months ago.
It all came full circle for young Myla when her parents submitted her profile online.
From there, she received a call from the casting agents requesting her CV.
The Wolsey Hall Oxford online school grade 7 pupil said she was selected to attend the national auditions and underwent two rounds of auditions towards the end of November 2024 in London.
An excited Myla, speaking from abroad, said she was notified at the beginning of December that she had been selected for two roles in the musical.
“I play two characters; a young Alline, Tina’s older sister, and her young son Craig.
“It was not too challenging to get into character,” she said.
“The family were poor and experienced a lot of violence, so you really had to get into that mindset.
“It was a different time in the 1940s.
“There was a lot of racism and domestic violence.”
Her first paying job was in 2023, when she took the lead role of Matilda in the international showcase of Matilda The Musical.
With the show, they toured seven Asian and Middle Eastern countries for 13 months.
Little did she know at the time, but it was that role that would propel her into a career in international theatre.
“The role in Matilda was more intense and challenging. I was on stage the entire show.
“I got to perform in front of millions of people from around the world, I enjoyed it so much that it did not even feel as though I was working.”
Having fallen in love with theatre at the age of seven, she said she enjoyed being around like-minded people, and the energy they felt when the curtains rose.
Coming from a musical family, she hoped to one day become a singer or actress.
It all started for Myla in 2022 at The Savoy Theatre in Gqeberha when theatre stalwart Robin Williams (no relation) put on a musical production of Matilda.
Myla was nine years old.
“The foundation I received in Gqeberha helped prepare me for my journey towards achieving my goals and dreams.”
In Gqeberha, she trained under TwoTone Music and the Robin Williams Drama Academy.
Robin Williams, who has been teaching drama in Gqeberha for more than 40 years, said Myla loved to learn.
“Whenever she came to a lesson she carried a book with her and a pencil behind her ear.
“Though she is talented, she is also academic, and able to do what many adult performers still struggle with — the long rehearsal hours.”
Myla’s parents, Gareth and Ulagh, who moved with their daughter from Walmer to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex County, said they were extremely proud of her.
Gareth applauded the foundation Myla received in the performing arts in Gqeberha, saying it equipped her to be able to shine brightly on international stages.
The Herald
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