Kinky Boots is such an extraordinary and odd story, all the more odd because it’s true. On the one hand a traditional shoe factory in a conservative Northern town is failing and everyone is scared for their jobs. On the other hand, it’s the story of drag queens in London, and all the difficulties they face in wanting to just be themselves. How these two worlds collide and eventually thrive when they realise that the factory turning to the niche market of sexy boots for male drag artists will help them all, is the story that threads both clashing worlds together, and this unique and crazy but true story is now an Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical.
If you see a synopsis of the story written down you might indeed furrow your brow, but there is something captivating and enchanting about this show. Charlie the son who reluctantly inherits his father’s shoe factory is still looking for something to inspire him in his life, a career to feel passionate about. His girlfriend knows exactly what she wants and he’s pulled along with that. That is something that can resonate with so many of us that are looking for that inspiration in our lives, yet we are pulled along by our own lack of knowing any different. When Lola enters his life she is such a major presence, knowing exactly what she wants, passionate and larger than life. Yet in their vulnerable moments we see how much they have in common, the young boys they once were appearing on stage with them.
This brand new Made at Curve production shines from the opening number and doesn’t dim throughout. The set is gorgeous, inside the factory, but smoothly becomes Lola’s club and at the end, the fashion runway in Milan, with inventive coloured lighting. You can hear Cyndi Lauper’s unmistakeable style particularly in the slower musical numbers which is a lovely little gift within the many songs. It’s almost an ensemble piece with clever use of multi-rolling in places, and the pictures they create on stage in the movement and dances are a joy to watch. There are some lovely individual performances as well: Courtney Bowman is a fabulous girl next door who realises she has a crush on the boss, being utterly hilarious in her performance of ‘The History Of Wrong Guys’, especially when she hides stretched horizontally underneath her work bench, yet carries on singing. Scott Paige and Kathryn Barnes also shine with the characterisation they add to their performances.
Newtion Matthews shines as Lola, completely becoming her. His wonderful slightly aspirate vocal quality in places is a joy to listen to. We see Lola’s vulnerability and fully rounded character through his portrayal: he takes us on Lola’s journey, and we feel Lola’s joys, highs and lows throughout the whole story. The famous “tell me I haven’t inspired burgundy” is one of the lines that die-hard fans of the film breathe a happy sigh at hearing, and it was perfectly timed. In fact the whole cast are gloriously watchable every kinky step of the way, with the some beautiful vocal quality from Dan Partridge and Courtney Bowman.
The power in this show lies in the uplifting inspiration it brings. That it’s never too late to find your passion. That being open to new things can lead you to a wondrous path you never knew possible. That when people look very different to us, maybe we have more in common, more that unites us, than divides us. And above all, as we all joyously clap along with ‘Raise You Up’ and ‘Just Be’ at the end of the show, it’s about the courage to be who you are, as Lola says: “be yourself, because everyone else is taken”. And there is nothing more fitting for a Brighton anthem, than permission to be yourself, to “live life out loud” as Lola says she wants. This show is an invitation to leave that furrowed brow at home and watch something hugely inspiring, if you just give yourself permission to go with the flow.
Theatre Royal Brighton, 25 March 2025
Kinky Boots The Musical runs until 29 March 2025
Photos credit: Danny Kaan, Pamela Raith, Johan Persson
