Kinky Boots

Wow!  What an amazing, upbeat show. Full of movement with great choreography and a cast who were obviously enjoying every minute of being on stage.  When we weren’t clapping to applaud, we were clapping to the beat or tapping our toes and occasionally reaching for the tissues as we immersed ourselves in the storyline and Cyndi Lauper’s terrific score.

We were given a warm welcome on arrival before meeting up with special guest, NODA President Gordon Richardson and taking our seats in the balcony.

Set designers John Wigmore and David Hardy got it absolutely right. An open stage with work benches which could be moved to the back when not required and a staircase upstage right, leading to a small platform, which served as an office. Other scenes were enacted downstage or on the thrust with minimal props which allowed the action to move along seamlessly.

Charlie Price is living in London with his fiancée Nicola and with no intention of going into the family shoe manufacturing business. But when events force him to return to Northampton he finds the business in serious trouble.  Nicola wants to return to their life in London but Charlie is determined to find a way to turn things round at the factory. Realising they both want different things they break off their engagement.

When Charlie meets drag queen Lola the two find they have more in common than they could ever have imagined. And so begins a new chapter for Price’s shoes.

An outstanding performance by Deejay Latchuman as Simon/Lola, showing all the emotions required of the role including his solo Hold Me in Your Heart.

Congratulations to Adam Bonner as Charlie, pouring just the right amount of emotion into his soliloquy as well as his solo Soul of a Man.  Nicola was well played by Alex Outlaw and a good performance by Kerrie Scarff as Lauren, including her solo The History of Wrong Guys.

Well done to the Angels who really rose to the challenge of being drag queens.

The enthusiasm and energy shown by the whole cast was infectious.  Praise must go to Fiona Wilson Waterworth for her directing of this heart-warming and thought provoking show.

The orchestra, hidden from view at the back of the stage, provided excellent accompaniment.  

Thank you SWMTC for inviting me and for your hospitality.  We had a very enjoyable evening

 

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