Following a record-breaking UK, Ireland and European tour, Kinky Boots The Musical will return to the West End in a brand-new production starring Johannes Radebe.
The Olivier, Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical will play a strictly limited 17-week season at the London Coliseum from 17 March to 11 July 2026, with a week of previews at Curve, Leicester from 3 March 2026.
Johannes Radebe will reprise his acclaimed role as Lola, marking his West End musical debut.
“I left my township in Zamdela at the age of 21 to dance in the ensemble on a cruise ship. Every night we did ABBA. That was my dream come true. Never then, nor since then, was it in my wildest dreams that I would have the opportunity to star in a musical in London’s West End. And not just any musical – my favourite musical. Kinky Boots,” said Radebe.
“My involvement in Kinky Boots has been six years in the making, and Lola was the only role I ever wanted to play. Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper have written a show about accepting people for who they are, and the love our production has received across the UK has been overwhelming, beautiful and life changing. The theatre community has welcomed me, and I am having the time of my life. It is the greatest honour and responsibility to bring this show to the world famous, iconic London Coliseum. I’ll be walking in the footsteps of theatre and entertainment giants who have performed on that stage, and I’ll be doing it in my own sequined pair of red leather Kinky Boots. I cannot wait! Thank you and see you next year.”
Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the book, said: “Just knowing that Kinky Boots is returning to its birthplace gives me goosebumps! Since launching this show I’ve seen dozens of performances in multiple iterations spread its magical joy to hundreds of thousands of theater goers and the anticipation of this new production has me hanging from the edge of my seat. I can’t wait!”
Cyndi Lauper, who composed the score, added: “I’m so thrilled that Kinky Boots is returning home to London! When audiences leave the show, they feel happy and uplifted, and that’s something the world could really use right now. It’s so wonderful that this musical keeps bringing joy and acceptance to people around the world.”
Directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Kinky Boots features choreography by Leah Hill, set and costume design by Robert Jones, and musical supervision by George Dyer.
The musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s struggling shoe factory. When he meets Lola, a dazzling drag queen with a flair for fabulous footwear, the unlikely pair team up to save the business and discover the power of friendship and self-expression.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
