(Rated “It’s a Ten from Pen”)
In this Johannes
Radebe’s first headlining tour he chose to share his life story so far told through
the medium of dance. Using a beautifully simple colourful set changed by
lighting (Designer Andrew Exeter) to take us from his place of birth – on Freedom
Day 27th April 1987 (Jojo was 7 years old when apartheid ended) – in
the township of Zamdela, South Africa, via trips around the world and then
settling into feeling fully at home in the Elstree studio of Strictly Come
Dancing pairing John Waighte in the first all-male partnership last year. Jojo explores how he came to feeling the
freedom to fully express himself along this journey via moving to traditional South
African beats, accidentally encountering the more contained ballroom dances
along with their inspiring glittery costumes, transitioning to grooving along
to ABBA on cruise ships, showing his ballroom and Latin skills on Dancing With
The Stars South Africa and then making it all the way to the Mother Show Strictly!
From his own beautiful blood Mother, being partnered with a best friend for
life in ‘Auntie Cath’ Tyldesley, finding an English Mother figure in Caroline
Quentin and then last year’s history-making partnership in a relationship of
mutual love and respect. Jojo’s transformation from holding back to fully free
is as much about the relationships along his journey. From Blood Family to Dance
Family embracing all of who he is and enabling him to let that all out in full
glittery glory on the dance floors of the world!
I realise I’m
really struggling to write about this special experience that I had last
Saturday with a really good friend and fellow Jojo fan because I am trying to
do so in words! That’s impossible as the power of this performance was all
about the movements, the emotions you get from the dances and the music that accompanies
those dances and gives the dancers the rhythm and beats needed.
The show opens
with fabulous singer Anelisa Lamola sweeping the floor as she sings and sets the
scene of Jojo’s home township. The party starts with the full supporting company
of dancers joining her on stage, and in time parting the way for the entrance
of the beaming smiled apparition that is Johannes Radebe wearing very little
more than a traditional South African headdress and loin cloth so revealing his
incredibly lean yet muscular tall physique. So little of him. No wonder he
couldn’t lift John Waighte haha! Though of course for John he was quite a
weight to lift too! Goodness me 😉
And then we
have the truly open personal touch as Jojo talks to his admiring audience about
his dance and life journey. There was some heckling from what appeared to be his
mainly female ‘of-a-certain-age’ (me too lol) audience expressing how much they
love him and asking for the kiss of life etc! All taken in excellent humour as
he playfully bantered back. Later in the interval one lady said that it was a
shame he bats for the other side. I disagree. I’m beyond thrilled he is out and
proud as a black gay guy realising his full potential and absolutely living his
best life. It’s so beautiful to witness. He was full of gratitude for all our
support in voting him to the final but no thanks needed – he gives back in
spades of joy, emotional expression and supremely special dance entertainment.
More dancing,
more exploration illustrates Jojo’s dance life in South Africa, through Ballroom
and Latin and then later he shows us adaptations of his favourite routines from
his Strictly dance life. My favourite of his dances with Cath Tyldesley is also
his – The Rumba to ‘Shallow’ sung exceptionally well by Anelisa Lamola &
Andile Mabhena. Adele’s ‘Hometown’ – again performed by Anelisa – also puts in
an appearance hinting at Jojo&John’s Couples’ Choice as well as telling us
London – as well as Zamdela – is Jojo’s hometown. (My only disappointment that
none of that routine was actually danced – maybe just not possible without John.)
I confess I hoped that Catherine, Caroline and John would appear though Cath is
heavily pregnant with her daughter so making any dancing with or lifting her a
little tricky. And maybe with being tour busy and covid Jojo sadly won’t be
able to be the promised birth partner.
All the
dancers were very good though none as good as the main man 😉 Of special note Lowri Evans and Ben Rutter, both with Jojo in a fantastic
Latin routine.
I am The
Restricted Reviewer but actually this is the least restricted view I have ever
had in any show. Right at the front row in the midst of the action. The show
ended with a medley of true party numbers including ‘We Are Family’ – yes we really
felt like Jojo’s Family – and up I got with many others to dance along whilst
being showered in sparkly confetti and colourful streamers! In spite of disabilities
- though happily much less now – I was saying to my friend “I was dancing” and
she replied “Yes you really were”. So unfortunately I haven’t yet managed to
become famous enough to get asked to do Strictly but I can say I have danced
with my favourite Strictly dancer Mr Johannes Radebe!!
“I DANCE TO MY
OWN TUNE” Proclaims Johannes Radebe as his motto for his ‘Freedom’ Tour… and Oh
Yes He Does – What a Tune and What an Am-a-zing Dancer and All Round Profoundly
B-e-a-utiful Human Being!
Johannes Radebe:
Freedom – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2022
