Johannes Radebe, known for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, delivers a magnetic performance as drag queen Lola in the musical adaptation of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum. The role, which seems tailor-made for Radebe, showcases his stratospheric charisma, particularly during his entrances—rising from a trapdoor in a floor-length crimson gown and curly blond wig. The musical, based on the 2005 film, tells the true story of a Northampton shoe factory that pivots to making thigh-high boots for drag queens, featuring extravagant costumes by designers Robert Jones and Tom Rogers.
The plot follows Charlie Price, played by understudy Liam Doyle on the night reviewed, who returns from London after his father's death to take over the struggling family business. A chance encounter with Lola leads to a scheme to save the factory, blending culture clash comedy with warm, good-humoured explorations of gender and sexuality. Harvey Fierstein's book, however, leans heavily on exposition, while Cyndi Lauper's songs provide pop-rock energy that becomes anthemic through repetition, though they are not particularly memorable.
Director Nikolai Foster ensures the cast performs competently, but the show lacks transcendent moments. An exception is a boxing match between Lola and Don (Billy Roberts) that erupts into a sizzling pasodoble. Radebe, despite not being a trained actor, commands the stage with his dancing, infusing Leah Hill's choreography with Latin flair. His singing voice has a rich tone, though it is less natural than his dancing; his rendition of 'Not My Father's Son' is a heartfelt, still moment.
Supporting performances from Courtney Bowman as Lauren and Scott Paige as George add full-throttle energy, with Paige providing comedy and strong vocals. While Kinky Boots offers an enjoyable night out with an unlikely story, its musical theatre craft remains pedestrian, relying heavily on Radebe's star power to elevate the production.
