Kinky Boots

Croft House TC have been performing to Sheffield audiences since 1902 setting the highest of standards throughout their illustrious 121 years, their list of productions is like a who’s who of musical theatre. Having been privileged to see them perform Calendar Girls in 2022 I couldn’t help but wonder how they could emulate the success of their 2022 production,but emulate it they did.

Kinky Boots is taken from a true story of an established family business producing shoes and then after decades of successful trading coming on very hard times. Things had to change and change they did. The real-life company owner Steve Pateman has been involved in firstly the film then following its success Kinky Boots the musical opened in 2012 in England moving to Broadway in 2013. Steve Pateman, Charlie Price in the musical, continues to support productions up and down the country, and I was delighted to briefly meet him during Croft MTC opening night.

The production team of Claire Harriott, David Burgess and Matt Symonds must be complimented for this fast moving well produced musical. The staging and shaping were a pleasure to watch, be it the full ensemble numbers or smaller groups, down to the quality of the dance numbers, bearing in mind the difficulty of the Angels performing in heels. There were so many memorable scenes. Too many to mention, but the detail and time spent achieving the standard of production was all there for us to see. David Burgess and Matt Symonds must be delighted with the final product, the quality of singing throughout was a pleasure to listen to helped admirably by the skill of Nick Greenhill and his team keeping the sound balances between orchestra and performers so all could be heard clearly.

The set was excellent and used to the maximum with slick changes allowing a continuous flow of the musical,compliments to Paul Minott and his team for without these unsung members no production could take place. The production was complimented by excellent lighting giving such a depth of atmosphere to many of the scenes. Gary Longfield as lighting designer pulled out all the stops and working in line with the back stage team aided the seamless scene and mood changes to the highest standard. The costumes all fitted the period well being mostly modern day , but of course the stand out was the attires worn by the Angels throughout culminating in the whole cast in the most exquisite Kinky Boots finale .

I must mention the inclusion of two father and son moments . Initially Richard Carlin and his real-life son George Carlin playing the shoe factory owner and his son playing the young Charlie Price and secondly Keith Harriott along with young Simon played by Freddie Cooper. These relationships really set the tone resulting in many emotional scenes later in the production. The grown-up Charlie Price struggling to re build the business having found out his father had planned to sell the factory for redevelopment and the emotional strain so clearly acted when the grown-up Simon, Lola, returns to perform at a nursing home in Clacton, his hometown but also where his father was resident. Well done to you four for some excellent portrayals. 

James Smith as Charlie Price gave a truly memorable performance showing not only his acting ability but also delivering some excellent singing. This part requires the actor to show many emotions within the struggling business scenes, to being emotionally torn between his intended Nicola played beautifully by Jennifer Horsfield in moving to London only to hear of his fathers death and returning to the factory .Meeting Harry played by Richard Granger, the wheeler dealer, in a London bar and trying to sell off his stock along with the well performed duet of Take what you Got.   The many scenes with Lola played by Steven Hayles were really memorable when he slowly realised the production of shoes and boots in ladies’styles but large enough and strong enough for men to wear could be the answer to the survival of the business. Charlie and Lola were cleverly directed and they performed to the highest standard, showing the full range both these seasoned actors possessed, bitterness, love, emotion, sadness, delight, mood the duet of Not my Fathers Son and much more.Jennifer Horsfield as Nicola, the lady that wanted it all , the expensive wedding a life in London but didn’t see what Charlie strived to achieve, a total recognition by his deceased father, and acceptance within the long established staff at the factory and to continue the long line of Price and Son. This part Jennifer made her own well done. Steven Hayles as Lola or Simon beautifully performed with singing of the highest standard, the emotion in the singing was excellent in particular Hold Me in Your Heart. Alice McKenzie as Lauren, wow some excellent scenes, the desire to win the man and make a success of the business, some beautiful cameo moments and great singing well done. John Crowther as Don,the tough guy, Mr Untouchable, or was he? A great performance John showing your true self and dedication in the fight to make the business survive . Caroline Fojut as Pat and Helen Green as Trish both played your parts so well with many cameo moments. Mark Harris as George the manager, a great part played well, excellent scenes with the factory workers and particularly with Charlie when fighting for the future of the business and reminding him of what his father had worked for. Lilly Connelly as Marge and Matt Bevan as Richard Bailey with some lovely cameo sense well done.

The Angels James Bell, Chris Barker, Joe White, Connor Lovatt, Richard Granger and Simon Addy. Well done to one and all for the excellent way you portrayed these roles along with Lola you all lit up the stage with some beautifully choreographed movement expertly performed along with excellent singing and many laugh out loud magical moments, the conveyor belts to name but one. Wearing those costumes and particularly the heels and boots must be tough but you all did wonderfully well.

The ensemble was a joy to watch, not a weak link anywhere with Cameo moments by many of them, the scenes in the factory, Grace Hallam in Milan and many more  

This production had so much with many memorable and deep-rooted comments …

We may be chasing a miracle ..Be yourself everyone else is taken ..accept someone for who they are

The finale was an absolute spectacle culminating in a fully deserved standing ovation from your appreciative full audience. I wish you all success for the remainder of the run and take this opportunity to thank all your front of house team for the hospitality shown. 

An Amateur production performed to a professional standard , excellent

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