Wanna have fun? Then Watch The Kinky Boots Musical In The West End!

Production: Kinky Boots
Director & Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell
Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Cast: Killian Donnelly, Amy Lennox, Amy Ross, Matt Henry, Jamie Baughan, Michael Hobbs
Venue: Adelphi Theatre, London

Broadway’s big-hearted, high-heeled extravaganza has strutted its way into the capital and it will certainly get your heels tapping!

KINKY BOOTS, the heartwarming British film about a Midlands shoe factory, proved a perfect fit on Broadway in 2013 when it was transformed into a stage musical extravaganza based on the book by Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles) and music and lyrics by the uber-talented Cyndi Lauper and now it has made its way across the pond to London – and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

It has been an astonishing 10 years since the film was released and for the first time the musical has opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre with a British cast. 

The musical retains the Northampton setting of the film, which was inspired by a true story. Kinky Boots follows a young man called Charlie Price who takes over his father’s down-at-heel shoe business and that is at risk of closure due to poor stock sales. He finds inspiration in the form of cabaret star Lola who helps the company find its feet thanks to a series of fantastic designs and the wonderful group of drag queens who offer such inspiration. 

Lola becomes the project design consultant and manages to overturn some of the factory workers who were prejudice to the sight of men in dresses and reboots (pardon the pun) life back into the factory to showcase the new designs in Milan. 

The character Charlie is much more improved in the musical than the film – he certainly seems less of a dope. Cyndi Lauper’s score and Fierstein’s book heighten the parallels between Charlie and Lola and they show that although they are two very different people, they’ve both been weighed down by the heavy expectations of their fathers. This gives them the opportunity to shift the mood from fun and lively to emotional and heartfelt within minutes with a superb and touching duet of “Not My Father’s Son.” The actors exude great presence on stage and their harmonies are as beautifully entwined as the laces in Lola’s boots.

Charlie is played perfectly by Killian Donnelly, who recently impressed in MEMPHIS. He makes an ordinary character interesting, a man with flaws relatable and his mistakes seem forgivable. His moments on stage are engaging and well-delivered, but the scene-stealer of the show is Matt Henry as Lola. This character was famously played by 12 YEARS A SLAVE’s Chiwetel Ejiofor in the film, but Henry’s power to make you believe in Lola and her struggles from being a heavyweight boxer to a Soho drag queen was all the more real on stage. 

Both Donelly and Henry boast exquisite vocal capabilities and their energy whilst on stage never falters (or Henry’s ability to walk in astonishingly big high-heeled boots either!) 

Aside from the more serious moments in the musical, there is so much fun to be shared in all of the acts. The comical one-liners certainly draw out the laughs and the set designs are simplistic, yet so effective. Their changeovers were seamless and every part of the stage is actively used.

In fact it needs to be big enough to actively incorporate all of the dancing drag artists known as the Angels who follow in Lola’s footsteps – in fantastic boots too of course. They wear an abundance of eye-catching costumes and the exceptional choreography is delivered outstandingly well – all whilst wearing the biggest heels you can imagine. (Personally, I wouldn’t be able to walk in a pair of heels that big, let alone dance in them. Respect!)

The audience is treated to a sequence of splits, cartwheels and they participate in the most brilliant scene on a shoe conveyor belt, as a prelude to their catwalk display in Milan – and it is utterly fantastic! 

The supporting characters shine in the production, particularly Lauren, the factory worker with a crush on Charlie. Her character is played with real gusto and enthusiasm by Amy Lennox, who nails every punchline and has the most hilarious scene singing her out for Charlie whilst her hair is being blown back by a piece of factory equipment. 

The musical is also a good platform to send out various messages: chase the impossible, have determination to overcome problems, be acceptive of others and perhaps most importantly, do not be afraid to be yourself.

Jerry Mitchell’s direction and choreography, in particular, gives the show a physical impact that entwines effortlessly with the fabulous musical numbers and witty lyrics. They quality of the performances from all of the cast involved is outstanding and delivered with such exhausting conviction it is a wonder they have the energy to perform again the next day.

KINKY BOOTS is fun, fresh and fantastic – and quite frankly, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe the brilliance of this production. One thing that is for certain, I know will never look at a pair of boots in the same way again!

Verdict

The musical is at the Adelphi Theatre in London until February 6th. Buy tickets online, at the box office or call 020 3725 7063.

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