Cindy Lauper’s uplifting musical blends heart, humour and high heels in a celebration of acceptance and identity.
When Charlie Price inherits his late father’s struggling shoe factory, he’s far from inspired to carry on the family business. But a chance encounter with Lola (or Simon from Clacton to give him his real name) – a bold, brilliant drag queen with a knack for style and sass – sets him on an unlikely new path: designing sturdy high-heeled boots for drag performers. It’s a gamble, but with the factory on the brink of going under and Lola insisting there’s a cross dresser around every corner, Charlie abandons his plans to get married and instead decides to roll the dice to try to save the jobs of his long-suffering staff.
What follows is a slightly paint-by-numbers tale of gaining acceptance and finding your stride. The plot is predictable in places, but that’s probably not the point… Kinky Boots thrives on its show-stopping musical numbers, fabulous costumes and a central performance that showcases the talents of someone born to play the role.
Strictly’s Johannes Radebe utterly dazzles as Lola. A magnetic presence from the moment he (she) walks on the stage, Radebe brings charisma, depth and powerhouse vocals to the night. He moves sublimely (as you’d expect) but it’s his voice that steals the show here – soaring through the up tempo numbers and handling the quieter, soulful moments with real emotion. Arguably the highlight of the night was his tender rendition of I’m Not My Father’s Son, delivered with genuine heart to Charlie, and a real touching moment between the two.
Courtney Bowman, who was the standout of last year’s touring version of I Should Be So Lucky, is a joy as Lauren, a factory worker harbouring feelings for Charlie, and has a wonderful voice. Lola’s fellow drag queens – the Angels – are also a joy to behold, coming in all shapes and sizes and bringing plenty of humour to the showpiece numbers.
While Cyndi Lauper’s score may not have a single standout anthem, the songs are nonetheless consistently strong as well as brilliantly choreographed; the full-cast numbers in particular are vibrant, slick and a visual treat.
Ultimately, Kinky Boots is a proper crowd-pleaser. It’s uplifting, inclusive and packed with energy. If you’re after a night of joy, sequins and sass, the Lyceum has got you covered.
