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Donning high heels to take to the stage in Kinky Boots is a busman's holiday for Strictly star Johannes Radebe, who is set to arrive for several sell out shows at Mayflower Theatre next month. "I'd worn heels in my house without anybody witnessing it for many years until Strictly gave me the platform to be fabulous and kinky in front of the world," he grins. As a brand-new tour of the Broadway and West End hit struts its way around the UK and Ireland, Johannes Radebe is making his acting debut as drag queen Lola.
(Image: Pamela Raith) READ MORE: Bluey stage show to return to Southampton in 2026 It's daunting and nerve-wracking," he admits "but at the same time it's really exciting. I think I have been an actor in some way or other across my career, because I'm a storyteller. Now I get to say and sing how I feel as well as expressing myself through movement and dance.
" With a score by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name , which was in turn inspired by a true story, and has won Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards. The story revolves around Charlie Price and his struggles as he inherits his family's failing shoe factory in Northampton. Then he meets drag queen Lola, whose sparkle, sass and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving Charlie's struggling business.
(Image: Pamela Raith) Having suffered bullying as a child for being gay in the South African township of Zamdela, Johannes didn't hesitate to take on the role of Lola He said: "She's insecure and scarred, like many of us - me included - but she's also very bold, confident and powerful. The premise of the show is about the acceptance of oneself and of others and I can relate to that so, so much because it's been my personal fight. "I hope with what I do in my career that I influence the world in a positive way, just by saying 'yes, we are all different but we can live as one'.
"This spoke to my search for belonging as a young boy growing up in a township." (Image: Johan Persson) Performances featuring Johannes are completely sold out for the May 27 to 31 tour with limited tickets for other shows at mayflower.org.
uk.
