Kinky Boots

Following a hugely successful 2025 UK tour, Kinky Boots has transferred back to London for a limited season at the London Coliseum, running until July 11th. Based on the uplifting true story of a failing Northampton shoe factory and the unlikely partnership that saved it, the Olivier Award winning musical has captivated audiences across the world and on the evidence of last night's preview performance, it arrives in the capital in spectacular fashion. A packed house ready for a night of glitz and glamour got exactly what they came for. 

At the heart of the show is the powerhouse pairing of Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe and multi-platinum recording artist Matt Cardle as lead characters Lola and Charlie respectively. It is a contrasting pairing that effortlessly bounced off one another, drawing you fully into the story. Radebe feels born to play Lola, embodying her with a magnetic charisma and larger-than-life warmth that fills every corner of the Coliseum. His vocals carry the full confidence the role demands and, as you would expect, the moment he begins to dance the whole room comes alive. That extravagance and showmanship is balanced beautifully by Cardle, whose grounded and naturalistic performance gave the whole cast something to bounce off, anchoring the show's more emotional moments with real sincerity. His vocals consistently impressed throughout, particularly in a rousing rendition of Soul of a Man.

The leads are joined by a multi-talented cast, each of whom made the most of every moment they had on stage, dancing brilliantly, singing powerfully and committing to every scene with real conviction. With a cast this talented I could spend all day listing just how great they all are, but several performances deserve particular mention. Jonathan Dryden Taylor was impressive in two very different roles across the night, transitioning from Charlie's straight-laced father Mr. Price to the sequins and heels of one of Lola's Angels. It was a shift that showcased a real versatility and was clearly appreciated by all in attendance. Scott Paige's George was an absolute joy to watch, with a comic timing and energy that had the audience in stitches throughout, yet always grounded in a genuine heart that gave the character real depth beyond the laughs. Courtney Bowman's Lauren deserves a special mention too, her vocal delivery was genuinely moving throughout, yet equally capable of drawing huge laughs through nothing more than a perfectly timed expression or line.