Performance Run: Currently booking until 30th September 2017

Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 31 January 2017 (Press Night) 

There are probably very few footwear puns I could roll out when describing how infectiously feel-good and fabulous Kinky Boots is that haven’t already been worn down to their soles. The show has been a smash hit success both critically and with audiences since opening in 2015, and in paying a visit to the show’s most recent press night - a ‘banish your January blues’ special that did exactly that - it’s clear to see that it is still riding high atop those six inch heels of joy.

No, it isn’t a particularly subtle or nuanced affair, even more so than the 2005 film from which it has been adapted, and the broad strokes of acceptance and affirmation that run through are writ large in sparkling neon letters from the offset, but this is the West End, darlings, and Boots brings its warm-hearted message to the stage with sumptuous production values, sharp and vibrant choreography and a faultless lineup of talent on-stage that create a truly electric and dazzling showstopper of a show.

Charlie Price (understudy Paul Ayres in the performance reviewed) is thrown into a crisis of conscience when he inherits failing family shoe factory Price & Sons from his late father. And, naturally, this being ‘up North’ and all, the community is as close-knit as they come and his employees facing redundancy are more akin to family. What’s a guy to do? 

Partner up with a professionally-trained boxer turned drag queen and her six fabulous assistants to help carve a new niche market, of course.

Enter Lola: Matt Henry’s Olivier award-winning tour-de-force of a creation who dominates every scene she struts through, which is blissfully the majority. It’s a stunningly confident and charismatic turn, Henry sinking in to every flick and swing of Jerry Mitchell’s sassy, vigorous choreography with relish, gloriously over-the-top and yet with a handful of beautifully observed moments of humanity and tenderness peppered in to throw some depth on all the glorious sparkle and glaMORE. Make no mistake, Lola is the star of the show, and is one of the most engaging and irrepressible characters you can enjoy on the West End boards right now.

The rest of the cast are no slouches though, nor is the creative around them. A strong night for understudies in the performance reviewed, the aforementioned Paul Ayres gave a terrific co-lead turn, with stunning vocals and an unassuming, everyman take to his Charlie that gave him an endearing, naturalistic charm. Emma Crossley, likewise, stepped up as potential romantic interest Lauren, really sinking into the character’s engaging, likeable quirkiness, and briefly pulling focus from the men in a confident and hilarious take on ‘The History of Wrong Guys’. James Ballanger, meanwhile, was clearly having a great time taking on the role of macho Don; the burly, narrow-minded factory worker who clashes with Lola and the changes she rings in. And of course, Lola’s dazzling Angels prove firm crowd favourites - splitting, backflipping and sassing their way in the audience’s hearts from their first number.

It’s a testimony to the standard of the Kinky Boots company as a whole when the understudies are of such an impressive calibre, outshining even most West End principles. 

Cyndi Lauper’s music is thankfully just as kinetic and infectious throughout, and whilst a couple of the soul-searching numbers threaten to become a touch de rigour (with the exception of the beautiful and moving ‘Not my Father’s Son’), everything else is sizzling, characterful and poppy stuff, including the show-stopping ‘Raise You Up / Just Be’ finale which, like Harvey Fierstein’s book, isn’t exactly her most subtle or profound work, but is gloriously delightful and affirming nevertheless. And it’s all buoyed by one of London’s most dazzling stages; with David Rockwell’s surprisingly versatile set, Kenneth Posner’s glitzy lighting and Gregg Barnes’ sumptuous costumes in particular harmonising to help raise the roof in complete Kinky style.

A spiritual successor to the affirming, feel-good romp of shows such as Hairspray and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and a dazzling technical achievement with a devilishly fantastic cast and company, if you’ve yet to catch yourself in a pair of Kinky Boots, then quite simply you’re missing out on one of the most joyous, camp and uproariously fabulous shows London has seen. Grab yourself a pair and go catch Lola and her Angels at the earliest possible opportunity - your New Year blues will be gone quicker than you can say ‘RED!’.

RATING - ★★★★★

 

KINKY BOOTS is running at the ADELPHI THEATRE, LONDON, and is currently booking until 30th September 2017.

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