Theatre Review: Kinky Boots at The Alhambra Theatre

THE interior and exterior of Price & Sons’ fictional shoe factory is where much of the action takes place. Here the show opens with Price Senior (Andy Watkins) singing “the most beautiful thing in the world is shoes”. Unfortunately, this sentiment is not shared by his son Charlie who goes off to London with his fiancé Nicola to escape the family business and embark on a marketing career. Sadly, soon after Charlie arrives in the capital, he gets a phone call to say his father has died and the family business is all his.

Back in Northampton, the future of the company looks bleak and it’s only a chance encounter with a drag act that leads to Charlie (Joel Harper-Jackson) trying to save the factory by introducing a niche line, ready for the Milan shoe festival – heels that will hold a man’s weight.

Based on the 2005 Miramax film of the same name and inspired by real events (W. J. Brookes traditional shoe factory being saved by its owner Steve Pateman after his introduction of a female line of shoes for men), Kinky Boots the Musical boasts award-winning original music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. That said, with the exception of two numbers very few stand out. “Everybody Say Yeah” is catchy and well-choreographed, creatively using the production line and “What a Woman Wants” a sexy stormy number.

The cast over-sing, slightly shrilly at times, but nonetheless give fun energy-full performances. Paula Lane as Lauren truly plays up an 80s’ camp performance. Playing Lola, Kayi Ushe is undoubtedly the strongest performer delivering some of the funniest lines and a moving bittersweet powerhouse performance to Clacton nursing home residents. Director Jerry Mitchell cleverly choreographs a slo-mo boxing match as the bigoted Don (Demitri Lampra) challenges Lola to be more manly.

Promoting community spirit, acceptance, loyalty and generational responsibility, the ending of Kinky Boots is satisfyingly predictable and provides a take-away motto: “Change the world when you change your mind”. Despite some weak solo performances, with its glitzy finale, clap-along songs and uplifting message, it’s hard not to leave the theatre smiling.

Leo Owen