House Of JoJo dance review: Joyful and flamboyant
The South African Strictly star embraces his roots with a spectacular dance show punctuated by hilarious chat

Fans of Johannes Radebe will know that his pathway to fame was littered with obstacles. It’s fair to say, however, that the Strictly Come Dancing professional is now living his best life. And, during the two (too) short hours we bask in his glow, so are we. The already deafening screams that meet his arrival on stage have only intensified by his departure. Rightly so, because that’s the sound of an audience entertained to within an inch of its life.
Much like Freedom and Freedom Unleashed (Radebe’s previous solo live shows), House Of JoJo offers no pretensions. ‘It’s going to be wild!’ our host informs us with the brightest of glints in his eye, and he’s not lying. Just when you think the show has reached peak camp, Radebe turns it up a notch time and again; with his audience up on its feet (long before the standing ovation), there’s almost as much happiness in the room as there are sequins on stage.

Backed by two incredible vocalists, Radebe and ten superb fellow dancers embrace his South African roots with an earthy routine. A trip to the movies sees them all in pink for a Barbie homage, Radebe in overalls and welder mask for a Flashdance tribute and in animal print for a Lion King montage. But it’s a different kind of ‘pride’ that get us up and dancing, with the final section’s musical choices jumping from ‘It’s Raining Men’ to ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ and ‘I Am What I Am’, all accompanied by costume changes that redefine the word ‘flamboyant’. During heartfelt and often hilarious chats with the audience, Radebe tells us he’ll be back in Scotland with Kinky Boots in February. From the holler of excitement, it’s clear that 2025 can’t come soon enough.
Johannes Radebe: House Of JoJo tours until Sunday 2 June; reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse.