It might seem odd to describe a chap who declares his show as Camp as Christmas as an old-fashioned boy and every mother’s ideal son.
But the main feeling that you come away with from this dance and costume extravaganza from Strictly!’s dance favourite Johannes Radebe is that this is a polite and charming young man who has worked hard and appreciates how fortunate he has been to make it to his life’s dream, gives genuine thanks and credit to people who have supported and looked after him and, yes, chats about his mum.
Sadly, he explains his family could not get to see his show at the London Palladium, the night before the Wales Millennium Centre performance ,due to visa issues (crackpot immigration service that we have) but they will be in Liverpool to see him. Not that his mum will approve of some of the African-inspired singing, he adds. Quite what she will make of the flamboyant, rainbow flag, Pride-inspired segments is anyone’s guess.
This is a show of two distinctive halves, the first was all about his African roots, a crazy, fast-paced fantasy of Africana, all loin cloths and tribal dancing (sort of). Then after the interval the diverse sections allow for jazz style music and dance, a tribute to the movies – which enables a large number of OTT costume changes – and then that Pride celebration that, as promised got camper and camper. When he appeared in an Abba-esque outfit with big floppy hat he said he knew it looked ridiculous but what could be better than dancing to Abba in Cardiff on a Sunday night, with a Bank Holiday the next day. Throw in all manner of other films and costumes including a bonkers zebra, 80s gym high energy routines, and you can see he was having a blast.
He made some jokes about carrying on working for Strictly! as there had been rumours he would quit, having landed the role of Lolo in Kinky Boots, which is coming to WMC. He joked that when he stopped dancing on the show, he would take over from Craig Revel Horwood as a judge.
The show had two excellent singers who performed a range of music styles from jazz and show tunes to movie ballads and lots of African-themed songs, although the thumping bass made it hard to make out some of the lyrics of less well-known numbers.
Jojo had a dozen very strong dancers who spent far more time on stage than he did. At times you did think it would have been better to have some longer dance routines with him in all the way through rather than so many new costumes, dramatic entrances, some dance, then off stage for the next quick change and next dramatic entrance.
The audience clearly loved him and his chat with the fans, largely about his journey so far, his gratitude (Annabel Croft clearly made a huge impression on him as dance partner and friend who welcomed him into her family and home), his success from the townships and dancing around his actual house, to TV screens and now selling out venue after venue across the UK.
Who can resist watching men dancing in high heels and women dancing with legs that seem to go on forever. Camp as Christmas? Yep – and throw on some more glitter.
A fun time was had by all, and I am sure his mum will love the show.
Kinky Boots is at Wales Millennium Centre 18 – 22 March 2025 https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2025/kinky-boots
The House of JoJo tour runs until June 2.