Kinky Boots theatre review: “The freshest, most fabulous, feel-good musical of the decade.”
Kinky Boots theatre review // photo credit Matt Crocket
Kinky Boots is the latest in a long list of movies to be adapted for the stage. In the past couple of years alone we’ve seen stage versions of The Bodyguard, Ghost, Dirty Dancing, Billy Elliot, The Full Monty and many more appear in the West End. Now, courtesy of Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein, and the equally legendary Cyndi Lauper, who provides the music and lyrics, Kinky Boots, a production based on the break-out 2005 British movie of the same name, has hit the capital.
Rather than favouring a simplistic approach by using previously recorded material, Lauper goes the same route as Elton John with the aforementioned Billy Elliot, by creating an original soundtrack that goes along perfectly with Fierstein’s superbly written book.
Kinky Boots theatre review // Photo credit: Matt Crocket
Based on the true story that was so excellently told in director Julian Jarrold’s original movie, Kinky Boots is adapted to perfection in this Broadway transfer. The story revolves around Charlie, here played by Killian Donnelly, who is suddenly put in charge of the family business, Price and Sons, a shoe factory based in Northampton. When the company loses a huge contract, the firm is down on its heels and, with a fiancée that is intent on the couple moving down south to the bright lights of London, it looks like Charlie may have to look at closing the century-old business. With severely disgruntled employees back home who are all working their two-week notice, Charlie meets the truly magnificent Lola (Matt Henry), and together they come up with a plan to produce a different kind of footwear, and save the family business.
Kinky Boots theatre review // Photo credit: Matt Crocket
If one were to look back to the original 2005 movie, it was full of talent that was just waiting to break out. Future Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor played the role of Lola, and a then largely unknown Australian actor named Joel Edgerton played Charlie. The two were simply magnificent in the film, and anyone to assume those roles in any future adaptation were going to have some pretty large boots to fill. Here, Donnelly and Henry do just that. And then some. The two make their respective roles their own, note perfect in their performances that quite literally light up the stage. Henry is over-the-top, dressed to kill, and absolutely fabulous as Lola, a character that exerts extravagance in every way possible. Henry takes hold of the material, gives it his all and makes it his own. He owns every scene that he is in; a virtually flawless, dazzling performance. Stand-out moments include the brilliant Land Of Lola, the sexual Sex Is In The Heel, and the touching Hold Me In Your Heart towards the very end.
The support is strong, particularly from the huge stand-out that is the supremely talented Amy Lennox, who plays Lauren. Her rendition of The History Of Wrong Guys is something to behold; one of Lauper’s stand-out tracks in the show. Funny, quirky and endearing, Lennox challenges Henry’s Lola as our favourite character in this glorious, difficult to fault musical.
Kinky Boots theatre review // Photo credit: Matt Crocket
Lauper’s melodies are unique, toe-tappingly upbeat, instantly catchy, and the talented artist delves deep into every music genre there is; from rock to power ballad, and from campy disco to off-beat hip-hop numbers; it really has it all.
The cast seemingly draw from the almost unrelenting rapture from the audience, feeding off of their constant applause, cheering and whistling. A musical experience like no other, Kinky Boots could just be the freshest, most fabulous, feel-good musical of the decade. Worthy of all of its accolades, Kinky Boots will dazzle the West End stage for years to come. Bravo.
Kinky Boots theatre review by Paul Heath, September, 2015.
Kinky Boots is now playing at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Book tickets here.
