8 / 10
It’s a larger-than-life interpretation. Everything from Leah Hill’s pugnacious choreography to a fabulous Greek chorus of drag queens seems bigger and bolder. The Leicester Curve artistic director knows how to make this musical sing out loud and proud. Robert Jones’ set design offers a very real factory setting packed with sewing machines, reams of leather and a recalcitrant workforce, but the Milan showroom finale is a riot of light, colour and pizzazz.
6 / 10
Radebe isn’t a trained actor, and although he has a rich tone to his voice, singing doesn’t come as naturally to him as dancing. But the stratospheric charisma he has when he’s moving is rare: full beam at the audience, his face animates every moment, and he throws some Latin flair into Leah Hill’s upfront and versatile choreography. In contrast, Radebe delivers a moving rendition of Not My Father’s Son in almost stillness, eyes closed, and it’s a heartfelt moment.
Matt Cardle honored Johannes Radebe during a curtain call speech following a performance of KINKY BOOTS at the London Coliseum. Radebe currently stars as Lola in the musical through July 11, 2026. Watch the video.
A new trailer has been released for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical starring Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe and X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. Check out the video here!
Firstly, I guess I should start off by introducing myself. My name is Tosh Wanogho-Maud, and I’m playing Lola on a Monday and perhaps a few other times that circumstances might allow in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning Kinky BootsThe Musical.
Inspired by a true story and based on the Miramax motion picture written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, Kinky Boots features a warm and witty book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and a richly diverse musical score from Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper, in her stunning theatrical debut. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell , with music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus. Starring Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe as Lola and X-Factor star Matt Cardle as Charlie, this revival is directed by Leicester Curve's artistic director Nicolai Foster, What did the critics think?
Last seen in the West End in 2019, Cyndi Lauper and Matt Fierstein's uplifting musical Kinky Boots finally struts its way back to London after a national tour. Originating at the Curve Leicester and directed by its artistic director Nikolai Foster, it brings starry sparkle to the stage with the casting of Strictly's Johannes Radebe, but fails to capture the energy and vigour of its previous iteration.
All new photos have been released of Johannes Radebe, Matt Cardle, and the cast in the brand-new production of KINKY BOOTS The Musical. Check out the photos here!
A brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Kinky Boots opened at the London Coliseum. Check out photos from gala night performance!
All new photos have been released of Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe and X-Factor winner Matt Cardle in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical.
All new rehearsal photos have been released of Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe and X-Factor winner Matt Cardle in the brand-new production of KINKY BOOTS The Musical.
The full cast has been announced for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical. Learn more about the cast here!
Kinky Boots The Musical will host a special Gala Night at London Coliseum on in support of international charity WaterAid. St Martin’s Lane will close as the biggest night in theatre steps out onto the street.
Multi-platinum-selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor Matt Cardle will play Charlie Price alongside Johannes Radebe as Lola, in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical.
Following a record-breaking UK, Ireland and European tour, ROYO, Runaway Entertainment and Curve have announced Johannes Radebe will make his West End debut, reprising the role of Lola in Kinky Boots.
| 2013 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2014 | US Tour |
First National Tour US Tour |
| 2015 | West End |
West End West End |
| 2017 | US Tour |
Non-Equity National Tour US Tour |
| 2022 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
| 2025 | US Tour |
Non-Equity Tour US Tour |
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