Kinky Boots returns to the West End – watch the full gala night highlights with Johannes Radebe, Matt Cardle and Courtney Bowman

Everybody Say Yeah! Kinky Boots has returned to the West End and WhatsOnStage was on hand yesterday to join the high-heeled, sequin-covered celebrations at the London Coliseum.

After the curtain call, we caught up with Strictly Come Dancing favourite Johannes Radebe (making his West End debut as Lola) and WhatsOnStage Award winners Matt Cardle (playing Charlie Price) and Courtney Bowman (reprising the role of Lauren). Radebe spoke candidly about his desire not to be regarded as a stunt celebrity casting and to put in the work to add singing and acting skills to his well-known dance abilities before auditioning.

You can watch all the highlights from the gala performance below:

Directed by Nikolai Foster, the West End cast also includes Billie-Kay as Nicola, Billy Roberts as Don, Rachel Izen as Pat, Jessica Daley as Trish, Jonathan Dryden Taylor as Mr Price, Scott Paige as George and Liam Doyle as Harry, alongside Andy Barke, Kathryn Barnes, Cerys Burton, Kaya Farrugia, Nay–Nay, Keith Alexander, Nathan Daly, Kofi Dennis, Ru Fisher, Darnell Mathew-James, Liam McEvoy, Ashley-Jordon Packer, Cole Dunn, Annell Odartey, Jordan Isaac and Tori McDougall.

The young company includes Sean Garcia Madiba, Noah Ronkainen Phillips and Rio-Blake Power as Young Lola and Archie John Allen, Joshua Beswick, Louis Cohen and Callum George as Young Charlie.

Tosh Wanogho-Maud is the Alternate Lola, playing the role on all Monday performances from 6 April 2026, and patrons are advised to check the website for more information.

Kinky Boots has a book by Harvey Fierstein and a score by Cyndi Lauper. Based on the 2005 film, the musical follows Charlie Price, who inherits a struggling shoe factory and teams up with drag performer Lola in an effort to save the business.

The production features choreography by Leah Hill, set design by Robert Jones, costume design by Robert Jones and Tom Rogers, musical supervision by George Dyer, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Adam Fisher, casting by Harry Blumenau, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, associate direction by Michaela Powell, musical direction by Grant Walsh with production management by Setting Line.

Kinky Boots is presented by ROYO, Runaway Entertainment and Curve, with Timothy Laczynski, Fiery Angel, Pascal Ultee, Rutland Street Productions, Roast Productions, P3 Productions, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Robin Gorman Newman, Nick Padgett, Jonathan Demar, TILTED, Center Ring Theatrical, Willette and Manny Klausner, WE R Broadway Artists Alliance, Howard Alter, Shannon Fillion and Gabriella Knapp.

Kinky Boots will run in London until 11 July 2026, with tickets on sale below.