Kinky Boots – Coliseum, London – Saturday 18th April & 16th May 2026

(Rated 7/5) 18th April: I’ve been sitting for some time now with laptop on my lap wondering how to write my West End 2026 ‘Kinky Boots’ review, because so much of the Tour 2025 ‘Kinky Boots’ review is completely relevant and to be honest, I’ve come to the conclusion it makes most sense to refer my dear RR readers to that to see what’s gone before, and I’ll just skip to my impressions and experience of the show at the Coliseum.

Booking this – back in July 2025 – felt huge. I – and I know other Johannes Radebe devotees – had a code for priority booking – and I sat poised again on this laptop at the appropriate time waiting for my code to come through, aware that I was not just booking for me this time, but for two very dear friends, who instead of chasing Jojo round the UK on tour, took a chance and waited for him – and this KB production – to get to the West End. The hour had come, but my code had not, so I went onto the website anyway, and found that simply putting in my name was enough to get me accessing tickets 😊 I know it’s technology working, but had me feeling special that was all I needed! I nabbed my middle front row stalls seats, told friends of my achievement, and then nabbed some more for another date too – yes, I know! And that was that – we were in!!! I posted my success on Jojo’s social media and got love reactions from him and his agent 😉

But who knows what will happen in months before the show-date finally comes round, and earlier this year, I had a health diagnosis, which put getting to the show in peril. I really don’t mean to sound overdramatic writing this, but I felt the weight of being the common connection – my two Jojo-bag Central Line friends had also booked the same date so we could all meet up – and also the huge disappointment I’d feel not to be able to experience the show with two of my absolute besties. I’d felt ever so excited about it happening. One of them, knowing what had happened, said it would feel a “hollow” experience without me, and my other bestie was reluctant too. However, it gave me a goal and a dream, which in itself gave me positive energy and hope to be able to get myself there. Both besties were also saying they’d do all they could to help me make it. Lots of active visualising of Jojo on stage right in front of me – me smiling up, him smiling down, and my besties beaming either side – manifesting as much as I could!

As fortune would have it – and this mentioned in my ‘Dracula’ review too – my op was brought forward and I was well enough to go! Still major anxiousness about what else might get in the way. And it sort of did with a bestie getting a throat infection! Hmph! But we got round that with him wearing a mask so as not to give to me and inhibit my recovery/treatments. Goodness! So kind and caring of him to tell me and to wear a mask, even though it would mean Jojo couldn’t see his face – then again that’d add to the mystery wouldn’t it 😉 “Who is that handsome man in the front row behind the mask?!”

Managed to meet up with Jojo-bag Central Line friends before too so all good. We’d made it!!!!! Slight heart missing a beat when we noticed that Liam Doyle would be playing Charlie Price, instead of Matt Cardle, but to be fair so long as Jojo was Lola all good for most of us!!! The Coliseum production is bigger and brighter than the tour in so many ways. They have more space on stage so more scope to move around and be more vibrant. The costumes for all characters are zhuzhed up too, and Lola has a great deal more wigs! (Also, Jojo seemed to be completely comfortable in all of them, unlike the one or two which seemed to bother him on tour.)

I thought Liam Doyle was a very good Charlie. (He normally plays Harry.) I have heard Matt Cardle’s voice is brilliant, so I am hoping I’ll see him next time, but it does seem he hasn’t been doing many of the shows?! Courtney Bowman reprises her role as Lauren and what a voice and presence she has. A wow of a woman! I also recognised a fair few others from the tour as well as new faces.

Though Lola first appears in big coat and almost hidden at the back of the stage – her key entrance at the Coliseum is to be rising up on a platform from below stage, as the Angels sing ‘Lola’ around her. The whoops and cheering as Jojo appeared could’ve raised the roof off the Coliseum!!! Glorious and shining like the brightest sun ever!!! And I know I said it in my tour review, but he has improved even more in his singing and acting. His singing voice now has more character to it and, I agree with Matt Cardle on this, a stunning hummingbird-esque vibrato added in too. Jojo singing ‘I Am Not My Father’s Son’ is beautiful beyond words. I would give anything to have a recording of that… please!!! He has settled so well into the acting it comes across as completely natural. Yes, others might be better at both those talents, but as one of my besties noted, his charisma is so off the charts that doesn’t matter. Again, as Matt says, though maybe not in these words he is super-fit and “ripped”, and his moving across the stage – especially in dance moves obviously – just sensational!!!

Only little funny thing that got in the way of my viewing experience. I was directly behind musical director Grant Walsh, and though he was cute (as masked bestie said), his head was in the way especially as Jojo started singing ‘I Am Not My Father’s Son’. Then, when his head wasn’t in the way, Lauren’s sewing-machine was! Oh well – a small Price to Pay – see what I did there?! 😉

My besties adored it!!! One of them already a Jojo-fan, the other now I think fast falling in love 😉 No need to say Jojo-bag Central Line friends still very much on board. I had the great pleasure of being accompanied by them back on the Central Line home too 😊 And all four of my fabulous friends looked after me exceptionally well too. Surrounded by them and with Jojo right in front of me on stage, I was certainly “Raised Up” and felt I could “Just Be Beautifully Me”!!!!!

16th May: And so we welcome the “Elusive” Mr Matt Cardle as Charlie Price and arguably a much better view for me and Bestie – though not the up-close-and-personal I love with front row stalls – from Box5 at stall level of the Coliseum – and previously masked Bestie “unmasked at last”!!! OMG I do love Boxes. You feel so special – and yes, ok, you’re paying more of a special price, but it’s comfortable and private (sort of) and like – well in the case of this particular Box – a big red warm hug with gorgeous décor. You’re separate from – yet together with the rest of the audience – and well, it just feels like treating yourself, which we all need to do now and then! Sadly Jojo-bag Central Line friend who loves Matt Cardle never got to see him, but I’ve now done that job for her 😉 I love his sensitive, gentle voice, the everyman-ness struggling to find himself he gives to Charlie, and his unassuming down-to-earth energy. His vocals are powerfully expressive and he is the gritty grounding to Jojo’s wowza of a Lola. For me their harmonising together on ‘I’m Not My Father’s Son’ was exquisitely goosebump inducing!

We had an Alternate Don for this performance and annoyingly I don’t know who he was! I didn’t think to note down his name from the board pre-show. But I thought he did a really good job, though perhaps was a little less ominous in the role than Billy Roberts.

I don’t think I’ve said enough about Courtney Bowman as Lauren in my KB reviews thus far, and I certainly haven’t said enough about Scott Paige as George. Both are my constants through this whole experience! I’ve seen different Lolas (5 Jojos and 1 Newtion) and definitely different Charlies (4 Dan Partridge, 1 Liam Doyle and 1 Matt Cardle), but Scott and Courtney have been there for all of my 6 KB performance-viewings and feel so solid and stable and comforting in that. Scott is absolutely excellent as George. He’s a gentle giant with so much warmth, loyalty, loves his traditions and conventional approaches and clothing yet embraces challenges and difference… and OMG when he appears on stage at the end for the Milan show well what a contrast in his appearance - raises a laugh every time he enters alongside Courtney’s Lauren. Courtney gives such delightful variety to Lauren. Every time I’ve seen her adding slightly different touches and nuances to her performance of ‘The History of Wrong Guys’. She’s fun and playful – I’d love her as a bestie. And Courtney is such a talent. Such a tour de force of a singing voice and speaking too. She’s so relatable, and yes, I can relate to her key song too!

Is there anything else I’ve missed out… well yes, lots, as I want more ‘Kinky Boots’ and sadly I really don’t think I’m going to get it! As I embark on a different kind of journey and experience that will likely mean my KB one is at an end. But what an absolutely fabulous and moving experience it has been. Such a pleasure to witness Jojo transform as a performer into the all-round superstar he now is. I’m aware how exceptionally nervous he was at the beginning and yet now how at ease in it all he seems to be – shining as gloriously as our brightest star in the universe. But the whole KB family have been so amazing too and the whole messaging of the show just makes you feel so blooming good and joyous!!!

So here’s to a number 7 Kinky Boots – my favourite number – even if it only happens in my imagination it’ll certainly have me “Celebrating Myself Triumphantly”!!!!!!! KinkyBoots – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2026