by 
The London Coliseum, London base for the English National Opera and English National Ballet, has in recent years hosted a full-scale musical during the summer months. Last year, the opulent and hedonistic world of The Great Gatsby took up residence in this glorious venue. This year, we are transported to a location that, on the surface, is a lot less glamorous, a shoe factory in Northampton. But this is not just any shoe factory. This is the setting for a story every bit as glitzy, glamorous and downright FABULOUS as its predecessor, as Kinky Boots makes a long overdue return to the West End stage.
This production originated at Leicester’s Curve Theatre, under its Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, and has already sold out venues across the UK on tour. Now, the iconic red boots are strutting onto one of London’s biggest stages. I went along to the Coliseum to find out exactly what we can expect this summer.
Most of the tour cast are returning for the show’s London run, including everybody’s favourite Strictly pro, Johannes Radebe in his West End debut, taking on the central role of Lola, boot wearer extraordinaire. Courtney Bowman returns as Lauren and Scott Paige as George. Joining the London cast in the role of Charlie Price is Matt Cardle, and Tosh Wanogho-Maud is the Alternate for Lola, having previously played the role on the show’s UK & European tour.
The Kinky Boots logo looks very much at home suspended above the massive Coliseum stage, a shining contrast to the Price & Sons factory set that is already in place, ready for previews to start in a few days’ time. As our exclusive “sneak peek” performance begins, the sign makes way for Lola and the Angels to give us a high-energy performance of “Land of Lola”. Are you wondering if Johannes is ready for his West End debut? Darling, JoJo was BORN ready! Reflecting on the show and Lola during an on-stage interview:
“It all started back in 2019, when I was partnered with Catherine Tyldesley (on Strictly). One day in rehearsals she asked me if there was a musical I’d love to do, and I said Kinky Boots, it’s the only musical for a big, black, flamboyant, happy somebody!”
Later on, Catherine bought him a copy of the score to “keep the dream alive” and introduced him to her friend, producer Hamish Greer, which led to a collaboration for his solo dance tours and then Johannes recalls that Hamish said …
“We remembered your dream, we have the rights to Kinky Boots so if you would like to audition there’s an opportunity. So I auditioned and it took my fabulous, incredible director, Nikolai Foster, to sit me down and say ‘I want you to bring yourself to this role’. I remember singing Not My Father’s Son and Nikolai said, ‘Do it again but really mean what you say’, and I cried at the end”.
Johannes went home thinking he’d messed it up but, of course, we know how it worked out!
And reflecting on Lola now he’s completed the tour, and about to open in the West End:
“It’s very easy to connect with Lola, I think we have led very similar lives, she hides behind drag, I hide behind spandex and sequins so it was lovely to meet myself every single night on that tour!”
Everybody talking about this production mentioned how much JOY it brings – something that’s clear from the performances and audience reactions. I’ve always said that Johannes Radebe should be available on the NHS as in everything I’ve seen from him – performances, partnerships, his autobiography, interviews – he just radiates joy. I asked him what gives HIM joy in life:
“That is to make sure that my family is OK, it’s my biggest and greatest inspiration every day to see Mum taken care of, that’s the ultimate for me”.
See what I mean? Joyful!
Matt Cardle, new to the cast for this West End run, talked about playing Charlie Price:
“I remember seeing show when it was on at Adelphi. I absolutely fell in love, it blew my mind and it was always on my radar as something I’d love to do but I never thought the opportunity would come around so when it did, it’s a dream come true. I’m still on the journey to find my Charlie, still in previews and having a great time. There so much in the character, and I love digging as deep as I can into each part of his journey”.
And on performing in heels?!
“I’ve been a skateboarder all my life and I’ve rolled my ankle enough times to know that even in flats you can do yourself a wrong’un! But up there? It’s terrifying! The whole intention is not to be brilliant on them though, so that’s good!”
We had two more performances – Courtney Bowman giving us her character Lauren’s big number, “History of Wrong Guys” and Matt Cardle’s take on Charlie’s “Soul of a Man” – two fantastic and showstopping adverts for what we can expect this summer.
After the performances, I had the opportunity to talk to Kinky Boots Director and Choreographer, Nikolai Foster and Leah Hill.
I asked Nikolai how important it is for regional shows to transfer to the West End:
“It’s important I guess to a point but I think what’s most important is that those shows are happening in towns and cities up and down country, for audiences in places like Leicester, Manchester and Glasgow, there’s great theatre being made in those cities. To share the great work that’s happening in regions in the Capital is great but coming to London isn’t the be all and end all. It’s great kudos for our venue (Leicester’s Curve) but most important is that great theatre is being made up and down the country”.
Leah told me about the “challenges” of choreographing for killer heels:
“Some people had never worn heels at all before doing this, so you’re meeting people at ground level. The most important thing is to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable, and in doing so we found a language that’s perfect for the company as well as serving its purpose for the production. A lot of it is down to communication with cast member sharing tips like, “I usually do this, it helps if you do that etc.”. It’s not so much a challenge, it’s been a discovery!”
And on working with Johannes:
“Jojo is an absolute joy and is a walking flourish, there’s no removing the flourish! I think all the Jojo-isms he’s brought to Lola have made it special for me, his Lola is iconic because of what he’s able to bring and what he discovered with Nikolai in finding character. Movement that’s natural to him is a bonus for our show”.
I also got to chat with cast members Courtney Bowman, Scott Paige and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.
On bringing the show to the Coliseum:
Tosh: “On the tour we became a family so I was just overjoyed that I even got the opportunity to join them in town as originally I wasn’t a part of the West End run as I was involved in a different production but then the cogs moved and suddenly I was able to do it and I’m very lucky and appreciate being able to be here. It’s just the age old thing of what’s meant for you will not pass you by and it feels very serendipitious”.
Courtney: “We did not believe it, we filmed a video in Liverpool around three weeks before we closed on the tour and did a manifestation, lying on the sofa absolutely zonked, going ‘This time next year we’ll be in the Coliseum’! When I did the tech for the song (History of Wrong Guys) yesterday, I cried! Now we open on Tuesday and then it’s Press Night, I’ll be a mess!”
And on their characters:
Scott: “George is the foreman of the factory, he’s quite a suppressed character at the start but as soon as he’s introduced to the fabulous drag queen that is Lola it ignites something in him that he’s probably never felt before, he comes out of his shell and becomes more himself. It’s so much fun to play him, I’m having the best time!”
Courtney: “Lauren is unlucky in love, she’s bored in her work but when all this happens she’s one of the catalysts for Charlie to start making the boots. It’s all Lauren’s idea so actually I should be singing all the solos, “Soul of a WOMAN!” She finds a great friendship with Lola and, of course, she’s George’s bezzie boo”!
Tosh: “My inspiration for Lola comes from my mum. Lola’s tenacity and refusal to bow to social norms and to think outside the box is very much my mum and very much what she instilled in me and my siblings”.
And a last word from Nikolai, on why people should come and see Kinky Boots this summer:
“The world is in such turmoil and the expression of hatred and vitriol we see in so many aspects of media is devastating for LGBT+ people, especially if you’re trans or grappling with gender identity. Kinky Boots handles it with such sensitivity, clarity and courage, You don’t need to say anything to judge or to comment and you certainly don’t need to hate. You just need to allow every member of our community to flourish and to be themselves. I think that central driver within the play is so important in the mess that we’re in today”.
So, there you have it. Kinky Boots is a show that will put a huge smile on your face and thoroughly entertain, with wonderful themes of inclusivity, acceptance, and allowing yourself to shine. It’s going to be the most joyful addition to the West End this summer so dust off those fabulous boots and get yourself down to the Coliseum, ready for this utterly fabulous company to “raise you up”!
