Johannes Radebe: Freedom – Peacock Theatre and Touring

Johannes Radebe and the company in Freedom at the Peacock Theatre, London and touring. Picture: Zac Cooke

Johannes Radebe – Freedom at the Peacock Theatre, London and touring until 1 May 2022.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

There is a fairy tale quality to Johannes Radebe’s success. From community dance lessons in the South African township of Zamdela to a standing ovation in London’s Peacock Theatre, it is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Radebe joined the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, having already appeared in the South African version. Even though he didn’t have a partner during his first year on the flagship show, the champion dancer soon began catching the eye of the audience thanks to his performances in several of the pro dances. His first partner in 2019 was Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, followed by actress Caroline Quentin the following year.

However, Radebe secured his position as a Strictly fan favourite last year when he teamed up with Bake Off winner John Whaite for the first all-male partnership in the programme’s history.

All of the above has allowed Radebe the opportunity to put together his first UK tour, Freedom, in which he tells the audience the story of his life through music and dance.

In the first half Radebe focuses on the musical traditions he grew up with, his love for his home and family, how he accidentally began taking dance lessons (the costumes were a big pull) and the decision to spread his wings, initially moving to Johannesburg.

From the moment Radebe bursts onto the stage in warrior regalia, it is hard to take your eyes off his performance, though that is not to say that the show’s excellent ensemble doesn’t regularly impress.

Radebe is a captivating artist who revels in entertaining an audience and seems genuinely overwhelmed by the appreciation and love he receives as a result. Alongside one engaging dance number after another, plus nice vocals from Anelisa Lamola and Andilé Mabhena, the star of the show occasionally chats to the audience (there’s a few tears of course).

Act II continues to demonstrate Radebe’s versatility, as well as that of the hardworking artists around him, including one or two who act as his partners too. There’s room here to acknowledge the influence of film and theatre (‘Too Darn Hot’, ‘Big Spender’, ‘Mein Herr’) before we are presented with a clever compilation of Strictly greatest hits to date.

These include references a whole host of routines, although memories of the rumba with Catherine Tyldesley to ‘Shallow’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ paso doble with John Whaite are standouts. I was also happy to relive Radebe’s fierce and flamboyant runway strut in high heels (the Red Carpet fashion pro routine in 2019 is a YouTube favourite of mine).

And if that isn’t enough high energy, fun and romance, there’s a massive disco party to bring the night to close, complete with Radebe in a rainbow decorated headdress living his best life.

Credit must go to Radebe and his associate choreographer Jess Ellen for not only creating some sizzling routines but also for bringing together a wide spectrum of different styles and genres so successfully. Congratulation to Andrew Exeter too for the colourful, corrugated metal set which, when accompanied by his thoughtful lighting design, can evoke the atmosphere of any location from shanty town to Strictly studio.

There are oodles of lighthearted touches but at the heart of the proceedings lies the theme of freedom which lends the show its title and message. “Freedom is where the fear of self-expression is no longer there” says Radebe and, as an openly gay man, he shares his joy at being able to be his true self while encouraging us all to fight for those who are prevented from doing so.

Radebe confesses that he never envisaged the love that would come his way during his Strictly journey with John Whaite and was initially nervous about taking on a venture that would have an impact way beyond the TV programme. But he followed his mother’s advice, “open heart, open mind”, and went for it.

Thank goodness he did, because many lives will have been changed for the better as a result, and thanks to projects like this one, the inspiring Radebe will keep spreading the word for a long time to come.

Lisa Martland