Kinky Boots

North Staffs Operatic Society presents

KINKY BOOTS

Ladies, Gentlemen, and those who haven’t made their minds up yet, NSOS presents Kinky Boots. Based on the 2005 film of the same name written by Geoff Deane. The story, based on true events, of an unlikely friendship between two men of similar age but very diverse characters, who come together to save a shoe factory.

Matthew Turner as Charlie Price, a very reluctant heir to the Price and Son shoe factory. Escapes his expected career path of following in his father’s footsteps, by going to London with his very ambitious Fiancé Nicola - Katy Ernest. There’s a very subtle unspoken undertone between the lovebirds which they played with a deft touch.

Following the sudden death of Charlie’s dad, played by Tony O’Rourke. Charlie returns to sort out the factory, realising the business is in dire straits, unable to compete with cheap imports with its outdated expensive lines, he tries to offload returned stock in London with an old friend.

Here he meets the force of nature which is Drag Artiste Lola - Gareth Ridge, the meeting physically raised the air of expectation in the theatre. Lola’s larger than life persona blew his mind. Land of Lola her vibrant stage show, introducing her backing dancers the Angels, excellently staged.

Charlie, fascinated by the footwear Lola wears has an inspired notion, niche marketing. A business rescue plan is formulated, bringing Lola to the factory to design a range of Kinky Boots for the world of Drag Queens.

Sex is in the Heel, rocked the very foundations of Price and Son, cementing an almost pop star like adulation from the drooling female staff, in particular Lauren, Pat and Trish; Hannah Pearson, Wendy Manns and Lisa Stewart, respectively, oh, and foreman George - Christian Stewart, hilariously portrayed by one and all. Lauren’s brilliant comedic delivery of The History of Wrong Guys was laugh out loud funny.

Lola, starts work, entering as Simon, suddenly he’s back facing the intolerances and homophobia he’d faced growing up, things he’d thought he’d left behind. This mainly spawned, just venomously enough, by Mark Cooper as Don.

The focus for the new designs is the Milan Fashion Show, Charlie becomes obsessive, rude and bullying to the point of losing his fiancé and turning everyone against him. After a wager between Lola and Don, Don finally exorcising his personal demons comes to the rescue.

Well-rehearsed singing voices throughout the cast, particularly excellent were leads Charlie, Lola, and Lauren. The intense emotive power and finesse Lola brought to the poignant performance of Hold Me in Your Heart, in front of her wheelchair bound father, you could hear a pin drop, utterly exquisite.

A well designed and thought out set, captured the essence of Victorian factory stock to a ‘t’, good use of height as well, front wing settings utilised to good effect. Sound good, where we sat Row J the music overpowered the vocals at the very start of the opening number slightly but was much better balanced going forward. Costumes were fabulous, especially Lola and the Angels.

Director/choreographer Martyn Knight harnessed his wealth of experience, great movement, and choreography, crafting a highly nuanced performance from his talented cast. There was a true sense of camaraderie from the cast, embodying their various roles with a real belief. Similarly with Musical Director James Wooliscroft, his brilliant band performed to a very high level.

I will apologise now for repeating my summary from the very tyre tracks of last year’s ‘Priscilla’, “this show has a resonating universal message of acceptance, behind the mask and the make-up people are more alike than they are different”.  Great night at the theatre.   

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.