REVIEW: Johannes Radebe Freedom ★★★★★

 I had the absolute privilege to see my first dance show recently and what a show to start with - Johannes Radebe's first solo tour, Freedom!

Johannes is known as a firm favourite from the show Strictly Come Dancing, after joining the show in 2018 (and dancing with Catherine Tyldesley, Caroline Quentin, and most recently John Whaite in the first male same sex couple). Known for his amazing choreography and passion for dance, I knew this would be an amazing first dance show to see and WOW what a show it was!

The first half of the show focuses on his upbringing in South Africa, his influences growing up, and how he got into dance. I loved the African dance-styles (which have been incorporated into some of  his strictly dances too), the choreography was beautiful and it was amazing to see something which (to the best of my knowledge!) is not often see in a lot of dance shows which tour the UK. Working at a theatre, I've seen a lot of ballet on offer, but never anything like this. I loved the outfits and the music from the first act too and all the other talented dancers giving us an insight into the South African dance scene.

The second half had a mixture of different styles, which I thoroughly enjoyed too. Again, all the choreography and music was brilliant, and the costumes were particularly amazing near the end of the show! He did a wonderful Argentine Tango with a member of the male ensemble which was just amazing, as well as danced small segments of some of his most well remembered Strictly dances which was lovely to see up close and on stage - I finally understand what those sitting in the audience must feel when he's dancing! At the end, it's a celebration of freedom and happiness (of course the heels come out!!!), danced to disco classics. By the end of the show, I'd completely lost my voice from singing!!! We definitely need a soundtrack for this tour (which apparently is being looked into).

If this show is coming to you, I cannot recommend it enough - I'd pay any amount to witness that pure joy of a show again. I wish I could see it everyday, they should prescribe it as therapy! And as if I couldn't love Johannes anymore, I have a whole new respect for him and cannot wait to see him again this year on Strictly.

★★★★★

Link to the Freedom Tour website: https://johannes-live.com/