The latest production of Kinky Boots now touring the UK is performing in the Mayflower from 3rd-14th September 2019. It is packed with every bit of glitz and glamour that you would expect to find in this musical since it was first bought to life on Broadway in 2012.
Charlie Price (Joel Harper-Jackson) inherits the failing shoe factory in Northampton from his late Father Mr Price and needs to find a way to save it from being turned into luxury apartments and forcing him to make the entire long-standing loyal workforce redundant.
After a chance meeting in an alley with drag queen Lola, he finds himself inspired by the idea of ladies/mens boots which might save the day and he embarks on making a completely new style of footwear. Charlie is pictured on the left of Simon/Lola below.
Kayi Ashe in the role of Lola/Simon is outstanding, a true showman with an incredible voice and cabaret-style dance moves to match. He looks fantastic in a sequinned cabaret dress or smart working suit as pictured above and below, either way, he certainly knows how to carry himself with ease and finesse.
The six drag queens perform great cabaret routines in towering heels that would make many women struggle to just walk in let alone dance and do the splits. The perfectly chosen outfits for each of them have been created by Gregg Barnes and in all honesty ‘wow’ is the best way to describe them.
Harry Fierstein’s book along with the collaboration of music from Cyndi Lauper set firm foundations for an award-winning musical. Lauper’s influences in certain scenes are very apparent from her music career in the ’80s especially when factory worker Lauren ( Paula Lane) a seen below uses the air pressure blower through her hair!
The staging is definitely on par with the former West End production and as a touring production I certainly admire how much work has gone into all the factory details, costumes and of course the amazing array of “Kinky Boots”.
Choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell’s musical success ends in an uplifting finale. This is definitely a musical worth spending an evening watching and over the years has definitely retained the high standard it started with seven years ago.
Four and a half stars.
Performing at
Mayflower Theatre
22-24 Commercial Street
Southampton
SO15 1GE.
Book online mayflower.org.uk
Tel 02380 711811
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