Preview: Johannes Radebe: Freedom Unleashed at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Television Dancing Sensation To Light Up Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Johannes Radebe: Freedom Unleashed

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Sunday 30 April 2023

 

Strictly Come Dancing fan favourite and TV dancing sensation Johannes Radebe is to make a popular return to Newcastle Theatre Royal with brand-new production Freedom Unleashed.

After the phenomenal success of his debut sell-out UK tour, Johannes and a diverse, world-class cast of talented dancers and singers will be performing to a mix of African rhythms and huge party anthems with a touch of ballroom magic – making the show a jubilant celebration of culture, passion, and freedom.

Johannes will be joined by Oliver Adam-Reynolds (Dirty Dancing West End), Lila Eccles (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella), Lowri Evans (Johannes Radebe: Freedom), Demmileigh Foster (9 to 5), Jared Irving (Matthew Bourne’s Lord of The Flies), Luke Jarvis (Chicago), Shayna McPherson (Disney’s Aladdin), Duane-Lamonte O Garro (The Lion King), Joshian Angelo Omana, Barnaby Quarendon (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake) and Zinzile Tshuma (Thriller Live!)

Completing the company will be South African singer-songwriter and former contestant of The Voice South Africa, Ramelo.

Born in the township Zamdela Sasolburg, South Africa, Johannes Radebe started dancing when he was seven.  He was fascinated by the discipline and glamour of Ballroom and Latin.  Over the next 13 years, Johannes competed in local competitions, climbing up the Latin ranks with top honours, and eventually adding Ballroom and other dance styles, such as African Contemporary and Jazz. He became a finalist at national dance competitions and received an invitation to compete internationally in St Petersburg, Russia.

At the age of 21, Johannes left South Africa to work on the internationally renowned Italian cruise liner Costa. Persistence and experience saw this young, vibrant South African given more responsibilities including choreographing, teaching new dancers, and then eventually being promoted to Dance Captain. In 2018, he was invited to join the debut season of the international hit show, Dancing With The Stars, in South Africa.

Johannes toured the world in the international dance show Burn The Floor before being headhunted by Strictly Come Dancing, later moving to the UK to dance on the flagship BBC show.  In his second series, he was partnered with Catherine Tyldesley and danced the first same-sex routine with fellow Strictly star Graziano Di Prima. He was partnered with Caroline Quentin in his third year and the couple made it to week seven.

In 2021, he and his celebrity partner, John Waite, made history by being the first all-male partnership to compete on the show. The pair made it to the final and won the British LGBT Award for Media Moment of the Year. Johannes also recently won Attitude's Game Changer Award. In 2022, he was partnered with comedian and actress Ellie Taylor.

 

Photos: Zac Cooke

 

Tickets:

Johannes Radebe: Freedom Unleashed plays Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sunday 30 April 2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.