Kinky Boots strutted onto the London stage in September 2015 and recently announced an extended run to May 28, 2016.
Kinky Boots is incredibly uplifting. Based on a true story, the Broadway-hit musical secures its success in the West End with strong solo performances by leads Killian Donnelly and rising star Matt Henry.
Killian was a good fit as troubled Charlie, with Matt Henry giving a positively sparkling performance, bringing a flamboyant air of confidence as Lola, yet emitted a childlike vulnerability when introducing himself more formally as “Simon from Clacton.”
Based on the book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and with music and lyrics by award-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, the endearing plot makes it near impossible not to become emotionally involved. Kinky Boots certainly offers something unexpected and different.
The production opens in a down at heel (pardon the pun!) shoe factory in Northampton owned by Price & Son, and ends in celebration on the glamorous fashion catwalks of Milan. Through the course of the production, Charlie Price (played by Killian Donnelly, formerly of Memphis and The Commitments fame) struggles to live up to his father’s expectations as he takes over the family business. Help unexpectedly arrives in the form of Lola (Matt Henry), who inspires a ‘niche’ market for sturdy new stilettos.
Lola and her six ‘angels’ burst onto the stage, with catchy music, flamboyant costumes and racy choreography – the three main components to each drag queen performance in Kinky Boots. Songs include Sex is in the Heel, Everybody say Yeah, and Raise you Up during the epic, celebratory finale.
Cast members genuinely looked as though they were enjoying themselves on the stage, particularly during one scene, when an ordinary conveyor belt was transformed into a mobile treadmill following the reveal of Price & Son’s new ‘kinky boots’. The exhilaration seemed to infect the audience too.
Killian Donnelly blew the audience away with his solo performance singing Soul Of A Man. The standard of understudy Sophie Isaacs’ (formerly Made In Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre) comedic performance as the feisty and fiery character of Lauren was outstanding, as she acted hopelessly besotted with Charlie Price. (This role is usually played by Amy Lennox who has appeared in Sound of Music and Sweeney Todd.)
Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10-plus Monday to Friday at 1930hrs and Wednesday at 1430hrs. Pre-booked groups of 40-plus are valid Monday to Thursday at 1930hrs and Wednesday at 1430hrs.
P.S Why not pop by the theatre bar before the show or during the interval and indulge in a Kinky Boots-inspired cocktail? There is also a photo opportunity available with the “Kinky Boots” themselves.
Kinky Boots is at The Adephi on The Strand. For more information visit www.kinkybootsthemusical.co.uk.