Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance – Wembley Arena – Friday 11th April 2025

(Rated 5/5) For completeness – though I’ve already shared my pics and videos taken at the show personally - I’m going to do a review of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s ‘Our Last Dance’ Tour opening night, but I’m not planning to rate or judge it in any way as such. That said, I suppose if I did, I could say: Artistic Impression & Heart J&C: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0 Technical Merit OAP standard & Head J&C: 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0 See, I just can’t do anything less, even though technically and inevitably Jayne & Chris at 67 and 66 can’t possibly match up to themselves at 27 and 26 at the height of their performing glory. Maybe it would be fairer to rate the other, and much younger, performers, but I don’t have the ice dance knowledge or observation skills to rate them in any other way than to see they were all excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed the show!

Their Last Dance opened with a performance to ‘The Greatest Showman’ involving, and introducing us to, the entire cast. Then Jayne & Chris welcomed and thanked us before they illustrated their first meeting 50 years ago with Karen Barber as their trainer Betty Callaway and two youngsters, (Isla Forsyth & Lewis Macdonald or Darcy Walshaw & Hugo Brooks) playing them.

From then on, they guided us through their ice dance journey, including searching for music for their routines in a Nottingham library and then performing adapted routines to all their iconic numbers including Mack & Mabel, Barnum (with a little video of Michael Crawford, who called Betty Callaway Frank 😉), Face The Music and so appropriately ending with The Olympic Gold winning Bolero. There were lovely anecdotes – including a sketch with Mr Bean (Torvill&Bean) and meeting Queen Elizabeth II AND the Corgis - via a mixture of chat on screen and on the ice. Amongst all that a plethora of superb routines – choreographed by Chris, Jayne and Dan Whiston from ‘Dancing on Ice’ – and performed by the entire cast. Also, from the DOI family Vanessa Bauer, Andy Buchanan, Annette Dytrt, Mark Hanreity, Vanesa James, Robin Johnstone, Tim Koleto, Misato Komatsubara, Sylvain Longchambon, Mirai Nagasu, Eric Radford, Lukasz Rozycki and Alexandra Schauman. Through their beautiful ice-dancing skills, we were also introduced to stars of the future Phebe Bekker & James Hernandez and Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby.

The plan had been to retire 30 odd years ago, but they kept getting asked back to do a multitude of different projects including DOI, which got its own comedy performance sketch live on the ice and snapshots of its celebrity falls and challenges together with the winners over the years on screen.

I shared the whole fabulous experience with my SFAM and her sister, which made it additionally fun and such a treasured memory for we three, connected also by our Bolero-purple pens 😉 I wore my ‘Face The Music’ 1994 tour T-shirt and bought a ‘Last Dance’ bag – back in the 90s I’d be collecting show T-shirts and now bags are more my merch of choice 😉

It was an exceptionally moving, personal interaction between them and us, the audience, and felt additionally special to be at their opening night. Such a wonderful way of connecting and sharing and reminiscing over all those exceptionally iconic golden memories.

Jayne & Chris, you wanted to thank us… well we want to thank you ever so much for all the amazing, beautiful, exciting and wondrous experiences you have given to us over 50 years and praise you for your extraordinary achievements. I feel a lot of love and pride for you both. Wishing you a wonderful retirement from your ice skates, and I for one will keep watching all the lovely videos of you performing in them over and over.

P.S. Anita Dobson, we didn’t mean to be following you to meet Jayne&Chris – we just thought you were leading us to the way out… honest lol 😉 Torvill&DeanLastDance – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2025

Unicorn – The Garrick Theatre – Saturday 19th April 2025

(Rated 5/5) So, a friend says ‘Nicola Walker is in…’, ‘Yes!’, ‘…a play’, ‘Yes, Yes!!’, ‘…called…’, ‘It doesn’t matter, you had me at Nicola Walker, yes please, let’s go…’, ‘…Unicorn…’, ‘Ah, okay, so maybe she’s playing a beautiful horse with a horn and colourful mane and tail, well, that’s a choice, and that’s ok, it’s Nicola Walker, anything she does will be great, so still yes… {another idea hits} or Unicorns were associated with Brexit… well, still, even if it’s that, it’s Nicola Walker, BIG YES!!!’ Tickets get booked and I no longer think about it… To explain a little further I first noticed Nicola Walker when I went to see ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ on stage with Luke Treadaway as the main character Christopher. Nicola played Christopher’s mother. My partner commented at the interval, ‘Who is playing the mother? She’s very good’. There couldn’t be a greater compliment – he rarely even says anyone is just ‘good’. Of course, she has been in numerous other productions on stage and screen. My personal favourites include ‘Last Tango in Halifax’, ‘Unforgotten’, ‘Annika’ and ‘River’. It’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t seen her, but she has a sensitivity, a quality to her acting that is just so beautifully natural, so open, so full of sharing of herself for the character and so for the audience, that connects with the deepest parts of ourselves. She can be so nuanced or full on; either way you can read all in her face with her lovely large eyes and quirky expressions, and add to that the mannerisms in her body language. I guess there are some actors, who are just so exceptional in their whole way of being, and are so naturally themselves within each character, and that’s exactly what you want to see!

SO, the next thing that happens is another friend of mine reports that she has seen ‘Unicorn’, and didn’t really rate it. This was the point where I started to wonder what it was. The basic premise of the play is married couple Nick & Polly are finding their love life together a little lacking, hence they decide they want to search for a ‘Unicorn’ – a third party to join them in the bedroom and help spice things up. Enter Kate. Around the same time as my friend’s feedback, I saw Nicola Walker (Polly), Stephen Mangan (Nick) and Erin Doherty (Kate and incidentally also Princess Anne in ‘The Crown’) interviewed on This Morning about it. I found it a really fascinating and intriguing interview. Yet still, after that the friend I was due to see it with warned me we should lower our expectations as it had some very mixed, even possibly ‘bad’ reviews. So, I braced myself, walked into the auditorium and found my seat with the lowest expectations I could muster and then, well, we watched til the interval. My friend turned to me, anxiety and concern at the thought of what she had got me to spend on my ticket written on her face, and I responded with ‘Wow, oh wow, just wow’, she said ‘Phew’ and we both laughed!!! I think to just base an assessment of whether something is for you or not on its basic premise can sometimes be problematic, possibly. And I wonder how much of that is what put some people off? You don’t have to want to invite a Unicorn into your own relationship yourself to appreciate this play imho. You just need an open mind, and I think perhaps a love of exploring into humans relating to each other and what is involved in all that, as well as raising interesting questions about the impact of life’s big issues and our own mortality, in maybe the even more difficult world we live in today and how all of that impacts on how we relate to each other. These three characters model all that for us. As part of this review, I am going to share some of the snippets of reviews I found on billboards outside the theatre in addition to some reactions of the cast and creatives in the programme. With that in mind – and also repeating myself a little – here was my immediate social media reaction:- ‘Wow, well J & I couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised by Unicorn. It’s a play about so much more than the Unicorn concept of the title, raising so many issues around love, life, relating, mortality and the challenges of just being in the world we face today. So exquisitely and cleverly written and equally exquisitely and sensitively performed on the edges of comedy and pain. Nicola walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty gold standard. Wow, just WOW.’

That night I also ordered the play text – I want to be able to read all those ideas over and over. Of course, it won’t give me the in the moment feelings of the dialogue being performed in their three couples and then thrupple on stage, but I hope it will trigger my muscle memory – my brain and heart memories of the emotions I was feeling watching Nicola as Polly, Stephen as Nick and Erin as Kate. ‘Unicorn’ is written by Mike Bartlett and directed by James MacDonald. Still, now, I am avoiding looking at other reviews, though, did read from a review shared by a relative, that maybe the space of the theatre wasn’t right for the intimacy of the piece. Being close to the stage in the stalls I didn’t miss out myself, but I can see why others may have. And, it’s coming to a close very soon, so I guess it’s a little late for me to recommend people go see it, sorry! Though, maybe it’ll get a revival at some later stage.

I found out that part of Erin’s research for her part was to watch the Thrupple in ‘Couples Therapy’ with psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik. I love that show, and, as a psychotherapist/counsellor myself have met so many people from many walks of life, with such a variety of life views. I guess that has given me such a wealth of experience and the pleasure and gift of needing to be open-minded as part of my job! But, I relish that anyway. And, once again, for me life is all about relating and it is simply my favourite thing to do and to witness!

Unicorn – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2025

Kinky Boots – New Victoria Theatre, Woking – Saturday 1st February 2025 + Kinky Boots – Southend-on-Sea & Sheffield – Saturdays 7th & 28th June 2025 + Kinky Boots – New Theatre, Oxford – Saturday 26th July 2025

(Rated 5/5) If my memory serves me well – it often doesn’t 😉 – the 2005 film ‘Kinky Boots’ was my first encounter with one of my favourite actors of all time – Chiwetel Ejiofor. I was blown away by his portrayal of drag queen Lola – in playing her (and her alter ego) he expressed his wide acting range all in one role. I’ve never been disappointed by him since. Someone else who has never disappointed, and just like Chiwetel, continues to move me every time I see him, is Strictly dancer Johannes Radebe. In his first celebrity encounter on Strictly – partnered with Catherine Tyldesley – he showed me and all Strictly fans, what a beautifully expressive emotional human he is; capable of incredibly loving, nurturing, holding relationships producing the best from others, and at that stage possessing a wide dancing range from Afrobeats to Ballroom, and much in between. It was in that relationship with Catherine, that she or he, or maybe them both together, had the dream of Jojo on stage as Lola. The perfect role for him!!!

Kinky Boots is based on a true story. The son (Charlie) of a shoe factory owner meets a drag queen (Lola). Charlie’s father dies and the son discovers the factory is not doing well at all. How to save the factory – they need a niche? That niche becomes boots for drag queens with Lola invited to design them. So lovely and moving in itself. But, in this musical version as Johannes explained it’s even more a story of fathers and sons and the potential joys and challenges of those relationships. And, knowing Jojo’s own story and relationship with his father, he lends so much of his own experience and story to Lola.

Another draw to this musical version for me is that Cyndi Lauper wrote the music and lyrics. Within each song there is so much depth and joy or angst and, in some cases, powerful stream of consciousness processing – especially in ‘I’m not my father’s son’ – a duet sung by Lola and Charlie. And my goodness, Jojo has really extended his performance range adding singing and acting – both really coming along a treat. Yet I would have a few miniscule notes for him at this stage if I’m honest: Some fiddling with Lola’s wigs – though maybe that was a choice? His lack of confidence as Lola’s alter ego Simon felt a little 2D somehow, though maybe hard to accept Jojo lacking in confidence! And at one stage he held up a boot covering his face so we couldn’t see the expression he was delivering to a fellow actor. BUT, given he is doing all this from nothing, it’s all just minor and I am certain he will keep shining brighter and get to the point where it all flows completely smoothly and naturally just like his dancing. It’s truly wonderful to witness him enjoying himself under the bright lights. The book is expertly written by Harvey Fierstein and the stunning set and costumes are by Robert Jones. Dan Partridge excellently plays Charlie and we feel solid and safe with him as leading man in this musical. He has clearly thoroughly embraced being Jojo’s training partner when it comes to acting and singing. Courtney Bowman is a wonderfully adorable Lauren. A brilliant cast provides expert support.

Anything Jojo feels personal to me, and so here comes the personal aspects of my experience with this show so far… and I’m certain more will follow. I would have wanted to see it more than once anyway, but through trips to Jojo’s other shows I’ve added friends along the way. This Woking experience happened so I could meet up with one of my new Jojo Pals. Two more are happening as a result of wanting to share with fellow Jojo fan friends! And an extra one in Oxford just because it’s Oxford – I’ll have to encourage someone to come with me! Very early on in planning, I decided I wanted to dress for the occasion. I acquired my own set of ‘Kinky Boots’, and without knowing anything about the costumes for the show, I combined them with a LBD (little black dress), and given it’s winter a black cardigan with red buttons. My idea was the boots need to be the stars of the outfit. Same idea as Robert Jones, who gave the whole cast each their own individual Kinky Boots with all black outfits for the finale, so those red boots shone out above everything else. I received many compliments for mine 😊 That was so much fun. Including one of the two daughters in the family I sat next to. I was several seats down from my friend, but the dad in the family chatted with me at points, and I visited my friend in the interval. She had gone to the opening night, and told me Jojo had seemed very nervous. He now seems to have relaxed more and loving the vibes of it all. Unfortunately, post-show I lost sight of my friend – we’d planned to ‘stage door’ together. I hesitated a little thinking what to do, and chose to go to find the stage door anyway. She wasn’t there, but about twenty people were, so I wasn’t waiting around on my own. A little while later – and still no Jojo – my companion in life arrived so I felt safe and that someone had my back. Silly maybe, but even with someone like Jojo, I feel nerves approaching him, or, at least, I thought I would. Some more waiting… other cast members had already come out and gone. And then dear Jojo appeared – not from out of the stage door, but it seemed from behind the tour bus. He told us his car was waiting. I imagine he’d seen us and being the lovely soul he is came to say ‘Hi’ so we wouldn’t have been waiting in vain. I stood back a bit while others got autographs and selfies, and then he looked to me. I asked if I could give him a hug – yes – so I did, and told him he’d done amazing – he replied ‘I’ve been practising really hard’. Then we kinda said ‘Take care and see you soon’, and I left for others to have their turns. It all felt so completely natural – ‘the way old friends do’ <3 <3

Of course, I am biased, BUT I genuinely couldn’t recommend ‘Kinky Boots’ enough for it’s joyous celebration of difference; its message around acceptance and learning about and from others; it therapy-ness (sorry just invented that as I can’t think of another word that fits); its fun; its laughter; its poignancy; its depth of exploration of relationships especially fathers and sons, but also around what women want and women’s relationships with women of all varieties; its music; its lyrics; its colour combatting and yet also amongst dark or greyness; its world; and its humans within that world.

Get on your own ‘Kinky Boots’, Let the Kinky Boots Team 'Raise You Up' and Go Be Fabulous!!!

And I wanted to add a word about Southend and Sheffield ‘Kinky Boots’… Seeing this show as many times as I am doing very much has to do with Jojo himself. But perhaps not for the obvious reason. Woking was so I could meet up with one of my Jojo-friends. Southend too – we became friends all because of my ‘I Dance To My Own Tune’ Freedom Tour bag and this now friend seeing me with it on a Central Line tube! We’ve since met up for Jojo’s book launch and a tribute show to Robin Windsor. And then on 7th June we enjoyed ‘Kinky Boots’ with Jola together. We loved it, and I definitely saw an improved performance from Jojo. And then even more so in Sheffield on 28th June with a friend of 26 years. He has been increasingly relaxed and shining more and more each time from an increasingly liberated performance, adding new touches each time too. In the interval I met face-to-face with arguably Jojo’s most dedicated fan – I think she has been to more of his shows than anyone else and is mentioned in his autobiography! Lovely lady with whom I’ve been pals on social media. Johannes Joy has to be shared and brings people together! The celebration at the end in Sheffield felt even more Joyous. I’ve worn my own sparkly RED Kinky Boots each time and my Sheffield friend and I wore hers and hers sequined RED scarves too. Cheering everyone at the stage door in Sheffield was enormous fun as well. Though, I’m so glad I got a few moments with Jojo in Woking, as he didn’t appear at the other stage doors. Oddly my Kinky Boots felt increasingly uncomfortable each show! Well, as Lola says they are not supposed to be comfortable lol!

And now another word to add about Oxford ‘Kinky Boots’ and Newtion Matthews as Lola. It feels like such a happy accident that I got to see the ‘alternate’ Lola. Oxford was my first booking, and I somehow missed the sign that flashed up saying Johannes Radebe would not be appearing, and thought I’d done extremely well getting front row stalls right up next to the stage! But how refreshing to witness someone else inhabiting Lola and seeing the impact of that on the production as a whole. Newtion plays more of a cheeky Lola. He is clearly performing arts trained in a way that Jojo is not – ‘just’ training as a dancer and then getting up to speed with singing and acting classes in the last couple of years. Newtion’s acting is better and more natural than Jojo’s. But Jojo – as I guess he should wins in terms of the dancing – his skills in movement and dance are exquisite and of course he also has the dancer’s poise. Jojo produces such amazing expressions on his face when he dances, and I was amused to see what felt like Newtion trying to copy those a little in some numbers. Newtion is a smaller man. As such he doesn’t have the physical presence of Jojo, and I guess there is also an ‘other’ presence, which is difficult to explain, but feels like a kind of star quality in Jojo. Put simply he shines so bright – he is sunshine. Newtion seems to have to do more work to make his presence felt, but it really is an adorable, lovely, fun and when needed melancholy presence – he has the lights and shades of emotion. He is more of a tease with Dan’s Charlie, whilst Jojo seems to hold back a little as Lola in that department coming across as more intense. Newtion also feels a little less warm towards Courtney’s Lauren than Jojo. But Newtion has an incredibly beautiful voice with a power stronger than his frame. As I’ve said before Jojo’s is ever improving and is so lovely. As Lola they both start and end the show in different sizes of the same outfit. But in between they are given different outfits. That works better for sure. One couldn’t carry the other’s with the same impact required for what each costume is expressing. Newtion did seem less bothered by the longest wig Lola wears too. But, my goodness, Jojo looks beautiful with a long wig! They both had their individual nuances and touches for Lola and her alter ego Simon and bravo to both!!

Oxford required a fait bit of walking - as we did some sightseeing even in the rain when we first got off the bus - so I did not wear my Kinky Boots, but instead a RED jumpsuit 😊 Lola loves RED and isn’t that all that matters?! 😉

I’ve already mentioned how Jojo lends his own life experience with his father to the show. (See also his autobiography ‘Finally Home’, which also speaks to the ideas in the song ‘Hold Me In Your Heart’ from Kinky Boots around wanting to be a family member even when your family does not appreciate what you are offering from a place of love.) Jojo is very close to his mother – and amusingly I’d say the vast majority of Jojo’s fans are women his mother’s age! Newtion describes himself as a “Mummy’s Boy”, and talks about how the songs which he loves most in the show relate to fatherhood and family. “I love my family, but they don’t really love my queerness”. In that sense, as Jojo also describes playing Lola is therapy! Newtion again, “We are all in a process of unlearning from childhood. I grew up super-religious and I still find those rhetorics coming up in certain places in this masculine world. And when those ideologies come forward, I have to remind myself that some of the most fabulously strong women have really masculine tendencies, and some of the most fabulous men have really feminine qualities. Now, you blend that all up in a gorgeous Lola Palooza. Well, that’s what Kinky Boots is about.”

KinkyBoots – Review by TheRestrictedReviewer © 2025