I’m Every Woman’s refusal to paint a flawless portrait is refreshing. Addiction, personal struggles and the pressures of fame are explored with honesty, ensuring the show celebrates resilience rather than perfection. It reminds us that legends are not defined by the absence of hardship, but by the courage to keep creating despite it. One major flaw, I don’t think we see enough of Khan’s career, the journey and rise to be a star. Chaka Khan seems to remain ageless throughout the piece as it jumps around resulting in a lot of the career defining moments being missed and timelines becoming blurred. The historical figures and celebrity cameos who mapped Chaka’s artistic journey are mentioned and rightly so adding context and giving her status but it sometimes feels like names are being thrown in as a trophy rather than adding to the story. 

The score is, unsurprisingly, electric. Hits including I Feel For You, I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody and Through the Fire, are emotional landmarks that chart Chaka’s extraordinary journey. However she only sings one during the story, the other characters take on the classics and we hear them in a different context which is nice but as these songs are the bangers that propelled her in to the spotlight, we wanted to see her sing them. I’m not sure the script matches up with the jukebox musical of an artist best known for disco/soul/RnB and funk. It could probably do with another workshop and a few changes. Visually though, the production embraces colour, movement and attitude. Ebony Clarke’s choreography slams with confidence, bringing all the swagger you’d expect. Natalie Pryce’s costumes mirror each era of Chaka’s evolution and the live band injects the evening with an irresistible sense of authenticity. There are moments where the theatre feels less like a traditional musical and more like an intimate soul concert, with the audience happily surrendering to the groove. I love the projections and the rustic edgy set adding to the grime and grit of the story. By the finale, the audience leaps to their feet for a feel good, upbeat medley that was desperately craved for celebrating survival, reinvention of one of music’s most influential voices.