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Kinky Boots Revival at the Coliseum Draws Split Reviews, With Radebe a Standout

Critics say the Coliseum staging banks on star power over polish.

Overview

  • The London Coliseum is hosting a new run of Kinky Boots starring Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe as Lola.
  • Reviewers widely single out Radebe’s performance for his sharp dancing, strong vocals, and presence, though one outlet felt less connection to his acting.
  • Multiple critics report sound-mixing problems that muddied the band and made some vocals hard to hear in parts of the theatre.
  • The production uses the 2,359-seat Coliseum for a limited engagement through July 11 in what reviewers describe as a celebrity-led box office play.
  • Opinions split on the material, with concerns about dated language in Harvey Fierstein’s book and mixed views on Cyndi Lauper’s songs, which some call enduring and others formulaic.