Based on the film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, Kinky Boots is one of those gloriously English stories about (fairly) ordinary people overcoming human problems in an unlikely but theatrically spectacular way. It’s in the same tradition as The Full Monty and Brassed Off. It makes a gloriously vibrant musical and it’s hard not to smile until your face aches.
Killian Donnelly gives a very thoughtful account of Charlie who inherits the failing family shoe factory in Northampton which he doesn’t want. His life is fraught with troubles and tensions which Donnelly develops well, especially in the very impassioned (and demanding) “Soul of a Man” number in the second act which he sings beautifully. Amy Lennox is strong and funny as feisty Lauren and the whole ensemble is slick and energetic.
But the star of the show, of course, is the lithe, charismatic Matt Henry as transvestite Lola. Tall and commanding, he struts and simpers, looks fabulous in his dance frocks, has a wonderful line in disdainful camp looks and comic timing to die for. There’s also a lot of depth to his troubled character and the scene when Donnelly talks to him in the gents is very moving.
This show includes some magnificent dancing, particularly from Lola’s “Angels” – the deliciously camp all male backing group in the nightclub and later in the factory. And no spoilers here but the finale, with the boots at the fashion show in Milan is terrific, triumphant fun. Kinky Boots is two and a half hours of high quality, feel-good entertainment which has the whole audience rocking and clapping at the end as the eleven piece band under Peter White pounds away with the unflagging cast to the very last note.
Review by Susan Elkin