Kinky Boots

Author: Andrew Walter

Information

Date
27th October 2023
Society
Banbury Operatic Society
Venue
Wykham Theatre, Banbury
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Andy Aldcroft
Musical Director
Chris Cheethaam
Choreographer
Charlotte Boardman
Producer
Banbury Operatic Society
Written By
Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper

This production of “Kinky Boots” provided a striking example of the power of musical theatre.  It’s another show based on a recent film, in this case telling the story of how a struggling shoe factory in Northampton was turned around by finding a niche market – making high heeled boots for men who are sometimes women.  Its themes, accurately identified in the director’s programme note as identity, belonging, self-doubt and forgiveness, are illuminated through the narrative, with the score manipulating our emotions.  There are plenty of uplifting scenes, but for me the most remarkable moment came in the second act when Charlie Price, the factory owner under enormous pressure preparing for an international shoe exhibition, repudiates his progressive commercial strategy, his inclusive views, and the friends and colleagues who have stood by him.  The audience shifted uncomfortably in their seats, and you could have heard a pin drop.  Revving an audience up is one thing, but being brave enough to plunge them into despair while killing the atmosphere in the theatre is quite another.  The talented company demonstrated their mastery of the genre by building us all back up to the rousing and uplifting choruses of “Raise You Up” and “Just Be”, but the shock and impact of that desperate scene will surely remain with most of the audience for a long time.

The Wykham Theatre is a surprisingly flexible space, and here the forestage area was used to create a runway-like structure that doubled as the factory shop floor.  The tight 11-piece band was accommodated well upstage behind the convincing brick frontage of the factory, a position that avoided them ever overpowering the singers while also allowing the musicians to contribute to the energy of live performance in a way that can be hard to achieve when the band is completely remote from the stage.  Plush curtains in the centre of the factory frontage gave context to Lola’s performances, and the various components of the set combined remarkably effectively.  The props team sourced an eclectic range of properties from desks to boxing gloves, and did well to find enough materials to make the extensive factory floor feel so authentic.

An outstanding aspect of this production was the quality of the movement and dancing.  The expressive and energetic movement of Lauren in “The History of Wrong Guys” was evidently the result of intensive collaborative work between choreographer and performer.  The ambitious dancing of the children was testament to the confidence the choreographer had in the whole cast; the characterisation of the angels was largely realised through their highly stylised movements; and of course the ensemble routines brought together a range of characters with very different levels of dancing ability into roof-raising, jaw-dropping numbers, often finished with eye-catching tableaux.

Imaginatively directed and performed to a high standard, this show demonstrated that Banbury Operatic Society remains committed to innovating and diversifying as it moves past its 60th anniversary.  This presentation of “Kinky Boots” was undoubtedly amongst the best productions I have seen during my three years as a Regional Representative of NODA, and was a wonderful illustration of musical theatre’s power to move, to inspire and to offer hope in a troubled world.  Many congratulations to everyone involved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the London region

Funders & Partners