It’s Pride Month, so it only feels fitting to have spent an evening with the exuberant cast of feel-good drag musical, Kinky Boots.

The show is currently on tour, spreading joy and positivity to theatres across the country, including Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre, which was treated to a sprinkling of sequin-studded happiness on opening night.

The show, for those who are unfamiliar, is based on a true story and follows Charlie Price, a fourth-generation businessman who inherits the family shoe factory in Northampton when his father unexpectedly passes away.

When the factory starts to struggle, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with glamorous drag queen Lola, and the pair work together to save the business.

The current production stars Strictly’s Johannes Radebe as Lola in his first musical theatre role and, when he appears beneath the spotlight in a shimmering red dress, it’s clear that he is a huge draw for the audience, who cheer and clap before he even takes his first high-heeled step.

Anyone who’s watched the BBC show knows that Johannes can dance; that’s a given. What I didn’t expect was the voice.

The South African Latin champion shows off his pipes with larger-than-life party numbers such as Land of Lola and What a Woman Wants, but also doesn’t falter when it comes to the big ballads like Not My Father's Son.

It’s his debut role, so there’s still some room for improvement, but Johannes truly comes alive when performing and it’s wonderful to see someone who brings happiness to others through the TV screen do something that so clearly makes their own heart soar.

It doesn’t matter that Joahnnes doesn’t have much experience in theatreland as he’s supported by an excellent cast of stellar performers.

Dan Partridge, who plays Charlie Price, has bags of charm and brings a rockstar energy to those high-octane numbers like Everybody Say Yeah and Take What You Got, while Courtney Bowman, who previously starred in the Marlowe’s Aladdin panto, brings relatable humour and likability to the role of Lauren – not to mention some top-notch vocals.

A special shoutout goes to Scott Paige, who plays factory worker George and, on occasion, one of Lola’s Angels. He brings big, big laughs to every scene while still being earnest and authentic.

It’s a show full of glitz, glamour and, of course, fabulous shoes – but it’s so much more than that.

At a time when things feel fractured and divided, it’s so refreshing to see a production that fully embraces the idea of acceptance and challenges negative stereotypes, while sharing a message of love, unity, joy and celebration.

With a final bow and wave of the Pride flag, the cast of Kinky Boots struts off the stage, each one adorned with thigh-high, bedazzled red boots. Hopefully they have time to put their feet up before they do it all again tomorrow.

Kinky Boots will be at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday, June 14. You can book tickets here.

You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.