Kinky Boots returns to London in 2026

Kinky Boots is returning to London! Following its record breaking tour, the production will run at the London Coliseum from 17 March to 11 July 2026.

Strictly Come Dancing's Johanne Radebe will be making his West End debut in the show as he reprises his role of Lola.

Kinky Boots originally premiered on Broadway in 2013 and then went on to run in the West End from 2015-2019 at London's Adelphi Theatre. This new production of the musical opened at the Curve Theatre in Leicester in January earlier this year. It is directed by the Curve's Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line) with a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical is based on a true story and the 2005 movie of the same name.

It tell the story of Charlie Price who inherits his family's failing shoe factory and needs to find a way to save the company. He then meets drag queen Lola and everything changes - perhaps they can help each other to... stand a little taller.

Johannes Radebe said: I left my township in Zamdela at the age of 21 to dance in the ensemble on a cruise ship. Every night we did ABBA. That was my dream come true. Never then, nor since then, was it in my wildest dreams that I would have the opportunity to star in a musical in London’s West End. And not just any musical - my favourite musical. Kinky Boots. My involvement in Kinky Boots has been six years in the making, and Lola was the only role I ever wanted to play. Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper have written a show about accepting people for who they are, and the love our production has received across the UK has been overwhelming, beautiful and life changing. The theatre community has welcomed me, and I am having the time of my life. It is the greatest honour and responsibility to bring this show to the world famous, iconic London Coliseum. I’ll be walking in the footsteps of theatre and entertainment giants who have performed on that stage, and I’ll be doing it in my own sequined pair of red leather Kinky Boots. I cannot wait! Thank you and see you next year.

Book writer Harvey Fierstein said: Just knowing that Kinky Boots is returning to its birthplace gives me goosebumps! Since launching this show I’ve seen dozens of performances in multiple iterations spread its magical joy to hundreds of thousands of theater goers and the anticipation of this new production has me hanging from the edge of my seat. I can’t wait!

Composer and lyricist Cyndi Lauper said: I’m so thrilled that Kinky Boots is returning home to London!  When audiences leave the show, they feel happy and uplifted, and that’s something the world could really use right now. It’s so wonderful that this musical keeps bringing joy and acceptance to people around the world.

Kinky Boots will play at the iconic London Coliseum for a strictly limited 17 week run. Produced by ROYO, Runaway Entertainment and Curve Kinky Boots will run from 17 March to 11 July 2026.

Take a look at the show's trailer below!