Kinky Boots

Where does one start! Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society have a strong reputation for first class productions and “KINKY BOOTS” certainly lived up to that! 

The audience (a full house) lapped it up.

The set was very impressive. The shoe factory façade that opened to machinery, boxes of shoes, an upstairs office & even a clock-in machine! Every authentic detail of a light industry of that period was there.          

The bringing on and off of props was seamless 

Charlie, having been left the factory by his father, reluctantly took it on, but gradually realised that he wanted it to succeed, even though it had become unviable financially. He looked for a new angle to save the business and of course found it!  His was a super performance with light and shade in his acting and singing.

Lola/Simon had it all, the makeup, wig, and dresses were well done including some really super boots! With great hand movements and the excellent choreography, with a superb singing voice, Lola commanded the stage and was brash, sensitive and passionate; everything the role demanded. Along with Simon’s persona it all was so genuine it brought out feelings from the audience of compassion, admiration pity and understanding, particularly in that era, when tolerance of difference was greatly lacking. A really great performance. His Angels looked brilliant and carried themselves so well.

His relationship with Charlie was handled delicately, the similarity of their childhoods added nuance to their adult portrayals beautifully. The two young actors played their roles with enviable maturity

Lauren made the part her own, great characterization and stage presence. Nicola whose relationship with Charlie seemed fragile from the outset played her role beautifully.    

Don had it just right, a typical reactionary bloke of his time, but came around to wearing those kinky boots in the end!

George was great as the foreman moving the workers on with their tight schedule 

   The Factory workers gelled well together, and Mr Price senior did a good job setting the scene and interacting with the young Charlie   

This was a superb show everyone worked as a team, the casting was faultless, no weak link, lighting used to its potential the Band excellent, the Choreography was super good and a special mention of Lola and the Angels They must have rehearsed and rehearsed to get it right, especially moving with such confidence on those perilous heels! It certainly paid off!, singing was of a very high standard and the soloists sang with great conviction.

It was an unforgettable show for all the right reasons, very impressive. My congratulations to everyone concerned ,not only to a great cast but to Jeremy Tustin ,director & choreographer (what a talent) along with Kat Stevens who did a marvellous job with such vibrant music. 

YAOS have everything to be proud of!

Graham Liverton 

Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

 

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