Kinky Boots

An enthusiastic audience applauded and cheered throughout for this production of “Kinky Boots” at The Hawth, Crawley. The characters, dialogue and songs were all appreciated by a very happy crowd as they followed the story of Charlie Price and his Nottingham shoe factory going from bad times to even worse times and the rising again to the top.

Inspired by a book by Harvey Fierstein and with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper’s imaginative and varied styles, there were several highlights in the many songs during the performance - in particular, the two solos and the duet by the two main characters. These were Charlie Price and Lola/Simon (Adam Collins and Kemal Ibrahim). They were ably supported by Charlie’s fiancée, Nicola and new girlfriend, Lauren (Amy Stubbing and Charly Bow) as well as several factory workers. Well done too for the children playing the young Charlie and Lola.

The band of eleven players including Musical Director, Dan Lacey were excellent but from where I was sitting a little loud in the ensemble numbers as I could not, unfortunately, hear the lyrics. The choreography under the supervision of Aimee-Marie Bow was wonderful, both for The Angels’ routines, and the more complicated arrangements of the ensemble songs.

The storyline of “Kinky Boots” although based on a true story, is not very inspiring but with the bold scenery, glitzy costumes, lively music and never-failing enthusiasm of the whole cast it was well made up for throughout this performance 

Well done to those on stage, off stage and the production team.  

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