Wow Wow Wow sums up Johannes Radebe’s performance in the new stage version of ‘Kinky Boots.’
Now playing at The Coliseum in Central London until July 11, 2026, this new version of ‘Kinky Boots’ is just absolutely fantastic and far exceeds the previous staged versions, and the reason is because of its star – Johannes Radebe, in his musical theatre debut – who plays main character Lola. He absolutely kills it. From the moment Radebe appears on stage up until the final number, Radebe, mostly known for television’s “Strictly Come Dancing,” shines in his sequins and high heels – a West End tar is born!
Most of you already know the story – Charlie Price (a good Matt Cardle – 2010 X Factor winner who kills every song he sings and has vast theatre experience) inherits a shoe factory after the death of his father but it’s not going so well financially and is on the brink of bankruptcy when he meets Lola and a new business idea is born: high heeled boots made specially for men (and specifically drag queens). Lola is then hired as a designer for the new line of ’shoes’ and we all know how it ends.
Kinky Boots ably fills the large stage of the Coliseum. Luckily its large enough for Radebe and his larger than life presence. |t’s as if this role was tailor made for him!
Cardle is very good as Charlie, but besides Radebe it’s all about the music (Cyndi Lauper), the story (Harvey Fierstein) and the staging and the costumes that all come together beautifully to make this show fun, fantastic, flashy and a real treat!