Show: Kinky Boots
Location: Chester Storyhouse
Date: Friday, May 3rd – Saturday 18th May
Time: 7.30
Running Time: 150 minutes
Age Rating: 12+
Director: Amber Sinclair-Case
Producer Helen Redcliffe
Writers: Geoff Deane and Tim Firth
Production Designer: Rachael Ryan
Musical Director: Sarah de Tute
Choreographer: Nicole Bondzie
Sound Designer: Kate Harvey
Lighting Designer: Charly Dunford
There’s actually a lot of footwear metaphors, come to think; Cinderella for example – what if the shoe didn’t fit her? But this show can be summed up with its suggesting that you try walking in another person’s shoes. I personally would add a footnote: how on earth do they manage to walk, even dance, in those heels…
Drag artist Lola (Simon from Clacton) and Charlie, owner of a failing shoe factory, come to each other’s rescue, as well as succeeding in appealing to the whole audience in their very different ways. It’s a match made in Heaven… sort of; they have to go through a lot before ascending to the Pearly Gates, or in this case, the Milan catwalk, where the two worlds finally come together. Sparring partners Duane-Lamonte O’Garro and Danny Beck are splendidly matched, with their powerful voices and performances, and poignantly so, in the relationship with their Dads, Phil Corbitt playing straightlaced Mr Price (yes, like I said, lot of metaphors). So many parents insist they want what’s best for their children whilst expecting them to fulfil their elder and betters’ plans, failing to see that their offspring must be themselves for true contentment.
And if Charlie’ Angels should spring to mind, that’s because it’s the name of Lola’s entourage, her three faithful followers, fabulously decked out in a variety of roles including a Cabaret style mc: James Lowrie, Thomas Sankey and the gloriously named Remi Martin. Meanwhile, Charlie’s ambitious, practical fiancée, Nicola, comes up with a cunning plan to save the business, entirely doable too except it would have spoilt the plot. Seren Sandham-Davies more than holds her own in this role, but it’s the lustful, clever, crafty Lauren (Leah Vassell) who gets her man; virtually every appearance she makes is greeted with a cheer or bated breath to see what outrageous gesture or grimace she will come up with. The factory girls are also a spirited lot and like the chaps, wonderful musicians.
Room only to single out Kaitlin Howard as Trish and Lywen Haf Roberts (Pat), while George (Gareth Cassidy), one of the best comic turns, goes from being as obsequious as Uriah Heep to as cool as said band. And not forgetting virtuoso player, Sebastian Lim-Seet (Harry), with a stand out cameo from Rachael Garnett as the snooty Milan Stage manager. And although perhaps unusual to have no outright villain, Don (Roddy Lynch) hammers out a vision of toxic masculinity – until taught the error of his ways by Lola, including a bout of fisticuff in which, incongruously, he continues to wield his guitar. There is also a brief but telling spot featuring James Ifan as Richard Bailey, property developer; need I say more?
Throughout, the setting is quite plain with lots of boxes to represent the factory, the back counter also serving as a bar. These days, scenery and prop switching is taken as part of the action but little of that here apart from when paving the way for Lola to shine during her act. However, a plain background helps the costumes stand out all the more of course, and makes the amazing finale even more outstanding.
Now, some may feel this is all a load of shoemakers, but hard to believe it was written 20 years ago, enhanced by Cyndi Lauper’s music and lyrics. It feels fresh as if written this morning, prescience giving way to priorities: the importance of individualism and solidarity. In so many shows, the cast appears to be having the time of their lives, but never more so than here: sheer exuberance. You’ll come out tapping your feet, heart, and spirits raised.
