boots g

Pictures: Helen Maybanks

Kinky Boots

Wolverhampton Grand

|*****

Northampton, famous for its shoe making heritage, is the setting for the glorious Kinky Boots and the story of one particular company, Price and Son.

The diversification from churning out run of the mill brogues, that are falling from favour, changes dramatically when a fortuitous encounter seals the future of the failing factory.

Son, Charlie Price, (Joel Harper-Jackson), isn’t enamoured with a career making shoes and wants to go to London with his fiancé, Nicola, (Helen Ternent), to seek a better, more exciting life.

But, when his father suddenly dies, he is left with the onerous task of running the failing business. Sales are poor, redundancies are on the cards and closure is looming. The company is most definitely ‘on its uppers’!

Luckily, Charlie meets Lola, (Kayi Ushe) a drag artist who tells him the vertiginous shoes he wears for his act are pretty rubbish as the styles and construction aren’t specifically made for men.

Charlie spots the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of Price and Son although his staff are opposed and reticent to his ideas, but, determined to take on the challenge he invites Lola to join the workforce as a shoe designer, much to the chagrin of the disgruntled staff. Lola agrees, but stipulates, “They must be red! Red is for sex!”

chalie

Joel Harper-Jackson as Charlie

After a few spats and differences of opinion, Charlie eventually persuades the staff to jump on board, and the culmination of their hard work results in a catwalk show in the prestigious fashion capital Milan, a wonderful scene with the entire company strutting their stuff. A fitting finale to a terrific production.

The entire show was a delight to behold, even a technical problem towards the end of act one didn’t dampen the enthusiasm, energy and zing of the whole ensemble who displayed great accuracy and agility with the dance routine on the factory conveyor belts. So original, and clever to boot!

The glamour and glitz sparkles throughout. Some lovely harmonious duets, and the exotic choreography abounds alongside moments of tenderness as friendships evolve.

Costumes were fab-u-lous, and let’s not forget the array of ‘kinky boots’ which must take a certain amount of skill to walk in, let alone master the intricate dance moves required.

A special mention must go to the amazing Lola. Beautiful voice, superb characterisation and frocks to die for!

The standing ovation was well deserved for a production that gave 100%. Just the ticket for warming the spirits on these chilly autumn evenings

From the book by Harvey Fierstein, Director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator, Stephen Oremus the bootys will be dancing to 27-10-18.

Elizabeth M. Smith

17-10-18 

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