Finally, London is getting a Chaka Khan jukebox musical, chronicling the singer’s extraordinary life. So-called “jukebox” musicals can get a bad name, but there’s no denying that recent UK-born jukebox musicals about Tina Turner, Cher, and The Kinks are big business. This new Chaka Khan musical is set open somewhere on the West End in the autumn of 2024: beyond that, everything else is secret. Until now!

The Prickle had the great privilege of being invited to an industry-only staged reading of the work-in-progress in London, in the presence of Ms Khan herself. Obviously, between now and the real thing, any number of things could change, but let it be said that the work-in-progress is already looking killer. Choreography by Del Mak (a newcomer to musical theatre) is at its most explosive in “I Feel for You”, in an overwhelming sequence that features cameos from Stevie Wonder (Ashley Samuels) and Prince (Hassan Sharif).

But it’s not just the dance and direction (Racky Plews) that astounds. Musical supervisor Ian Oakley also deploys Chaka Khan’s extraordinary back catalogue in the most surprising ways, including a devastating performance of “Pack’d My Bags” by deserting husband Hassan Khan (Duane-Lamonte O’Garro), and an extremely creepy performance of “Like Sugar” by the spiritual embodiment of cocaine (Luke Friend): trust me, it works.

Less persuasive is the slightly reductive “meta” framing device of the whole musical itself being about the development of the Chaka Khan musical, and how difficult it is to find someone to play Chaka Khan. However, there’s definitely something exciting about the tried-and-tested trope of three different actresses portraying different stages of the iconic singer’s life, all to reunite at the end for a massive ensemble sing-along of the title track, “I’m Every Woman”.

It’s unclear how much is going to stay the same and how much is going to change over the next year, but audiences can be sure of a dynamite show: keep an eye out for when tickets go on sale and book early.

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