Award-winning Kinky Boots The Musical struts into Norwich Theatre Royal this week (17-28th September) as part of its UK tour. Theatre blogger Dawn Maidstone goes along to see if it lives up to the hype
If you’ve not seen the film, the story of Kinky Boots The Musical follows the fortunes of Price & Son, a Northampton shoe factory. Owner Charlie Price is struggling to fill his father’s shoes and the future of the family business is uncertain. But a chance meeting with fab-u-lous performer Lola, inspires the idea of creating footwear for a niche market. Along the way, lessons are learned and relationships blossom, but will Charlie conquer Milan and save the factory?
Bursting with vitality and adding glam to every scene is drag queen Lola, who is expertly brought to life by Kayi Ushe. Supporting Lola are the ‘Angels’ (Connor Collins, Daniel Downing, Damon Gould, Joshua Lovell, Toyan Thomas-Browne and Chileshe Mondelle) who are bursting with energy and execute some amazing routines in killer heels!
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It took me a few scenes to warm to Joel Harper-Jackson as Charlie. However, as the story developed I began to see that there is more to the character and Joel’s performance of Soul of Man is brilliant.
While plenty of laughs are provided by the factory workers, George (Adam Price) and Lauren (Paula Lane, best known for her role as Kylie Platt in Coronation Street) particularly stand out. Lane’s solo performance of The History of Wrong Guys was witty, funny and care-free.
Songs and Scenes
The score, written by pop legend Cyndi Lauper, will have you humming the tunes for days but also holds some beautiful emotion. My favourites were Hold Me In Your Heart and What a Woman Wants.
Set changes are carefully managed throughout. Whether the audience is looking at the inside or a street scene, there’s plenty of detail. One scene even has working conveyor belts. This industrial setting only enhances the glamour of the final scene and Gregg Barnes’s costumes are something to behold.
“Ladies, gentlemen and those who have yet to make up their minds,” Kinky Boots The Musical is a truly uplifting, sassy and beautiful musical. Book tickets at Norwich Theatre Royal or call the box office on 01603 630000.
Image credit: All: Helen Maybanks
