Jojo gets Kinky at Playhouse
Johannes Radebe to star in Kinky Boots tour coming to Playhouse
A new production of Kinky Boots the Musical, staring Johannes Radebe as Lola and Dan Partridge as Charlie Price, will tour to Edinburgh’s Playhouse and the Glasgow King’s in February 2025.
Tickets go on sale on Friday 12 April 2024 for the brand new Made at Curve production which opens at the Curve Leicester on January 17 2025. It visits the Edinburgh Playhouse Tue 18 – Sat 22 February (tickets from 10am, Fri 12 April), playing the Glasgow King’s the previous week, Tue 11 – Sat 15 (tickets from 10am, Fri 12 April).
Johannes Radebe will star as Lola in Kinky Boots. Pic: Ollie Rosser.
Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 movie of the same name, itself based on a true story. After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price. That is until he meets Lola, a drag queen whose sparkle and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.
The show features a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The new production will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster with choreography by Leah Hill.
Strictly Come Dancing sensation, Johannes Radebe, is currently on tour with his House of Jojo dance show, hitting the Playhouse on Sunday week, 21 April 2024 (tickets). He performed Strictly’s first same-sex routine in 2019, with Graziano Di Prima. In 2021, he and celebrity partner, John Waite, were the first all-male partnership to compete on the show.
extraordinary artistry
Speaking of the new production, Foster said: “We all know Johannes for his extraordinary artistry on the dance floor, but seeing him inhabit the astonishing world of Lola in Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper’s proud, punchy and passionate Kinky Boots has been an electrifying and profoundly moving experience.
“Johannes is joined by Curve regular, the magnificent Dan Partridge, as Charlie Price and a world class creative team, led by designer Robert Jones and choreographer Leah Hill.
Dan Partridge will star as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Pic: Ollie Rosser.
Cyndi Lauper said: “Kinky Boots is one of the things I’m proudest of in my career, and I’m so excited that audiences will get to see it again, in a new production. It’s like a happy pill – and we could all use some of that right now! I can’t think of a better time or place to relaunch this special show in its place of origin.”
Harvey Fierstein added “An all new production is a thrilling event in the life of a well-loved show. And to have that rebirth occur in the place of its origin makes it all a billion times more exciting. I can’t wait to welcome KINKY BOOTS home.”
fiercely intelligent
Foster agrees, saying he is “beyond thrilled” to return the Kinky Boots story to its native Midlands and manufacturing heartland of Leicester
He said: “This is a story of British industrial heritage, told through Fierstein’s fiercely intelligent words, and Lauper’s explosive songs, in a truly joyful musical about overcoming adversity, celebrating individuality, the power of a good pair of heels and community spirit.”
NB: Johannes fans should note that he will not be performing in the Wednesday or Thursday matinees at either the Playhouse or the King’s. Further casting for the tour is to be announced at a later date.
Listings
Kinky Boots The Musical
Glasgow King’s, 297 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JN
Tue 11 – Sat 15 Feb 2025
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats: Wed*, Thurs*, Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from 10am, Fri 12 April 2024.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Tue 18 – Sat 22 Feb 2025
Evenings: 7.30pm, Mats: Wed*, Thurs*, Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from 10am, Fri 12 April 2024.
*NB: Johannes Radebe will not perform at the Weds or Thurs matinees.
Johannes Radebe: House of Jojo
Sunday 21 April 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
A new story begins…Welcome to the House of JoJo. Join TV Dance Sensation Johannes Radebe and a host of eclectic characters in this brand-new theatrical celebration jam-packed with roof-raising music, dazzling costumes and of course, world class dance. Book here.
ENDS
