Kinky Boots

How do you measure the success or failure of musical theatre? Well personally two things spring to my mind. One, did the audience enjoy it, and two, do I want to be on stage with the cast. So firstly, audience reaction. I do not think there was anyone either in the theatre, in the building or indeed in Scarborough who would not know that the audience loved every single second of the performance. From the first round of applause to the final standing ovation, the audience screamed, with enjoyment. Secondly, where can I sign up? It took all my self-control not to run on the stage and join in on the amazing, euphoric party that was happening on stage during Raise you Up/ Just Be.

From watching Alex Weatherhill’s productions (Director) over the past few years I have come to expect a creative and unique show, and this was another step on the ladder. From the moment you walked into the theatre you were greeted by the fabulous choir getting the audience ready to jump with joy. The stage was extremely well used and although this show contained a small cast it never looked empty. The staging was extremely affective with much of the set moving around the stage to help add new levels to scenes. With most of the changes being moved flawlessly by the cast as part of there roll in the factory. This made the show run exceptionally well with no breaks or pauses.

The dancing was fantastically energetic and executed amazingly with so much attitude in every move, I am sure Kirsty Sparks (Choreographer ) will be so proud of the whole cast. At this point I want to give a massive shout out to the shows amazing Angels, Mike Seals-Law, Connor Canvess and Chavez Idjerhe. Not only did these three talented men throw themselves whole heartedly into their roles and smiled all the way through, they did it in heels! I have so much respect for these three for going and showing that being different is 100% a good thing to be. I also want to mention the Angelettes Amy Morley, Antonia Bellany and Tilly Jackson, you ladies owned that stage and were so in sync with the dance routines it was a joy to watch you.

This show has so many little gems and magical moments that the cast have many times to show there amazing talent. One of these lovely surprises is the incorporation of not just one female leads but two. Mia West played the level headed, career driven Nicola who is a complete contrast to the wild, fun-loving Lauren played by Katie Buttner. Katie truly embodied Laurens crazy personality and fun loving demeaner she was true joy to watch. Pat (Gemma Haliwell) and Trish (Sarah Cox) were perfect on stage and their characterisation of these roles was sublime. One of my favourite duets in the Musical Theatre song book is Take What You Got, and Mike Seals-Law as Harry and David Grace who played Charlie both did this song justice and obviously enjoyed themselves while doing it. No production of Kinky Boots would be complete without the rugged, rough round the edges Don, played by Domonic Hulme. He played this part so well and had the ability to draw and audiences’ eye even when he was not the main focus of the scene. I also want to mention Toby Hutchinson and Oscar Wood as Young Lola and Charlie as well as Lauren MacDonald, Amy Wilson, Paul Buttner, Steve Witty and Rory Stephenson-Eves whom all brought their own elements of magic to the show and especially with the case of the older cast whom were constantly bringing their all and never seemed to stop.

Now we come to our final two cast members. Firstly, Hello Miss Lola! George Wakely was phenomenal. I do not think he could have played this part any better. He not only played the part he embodied it. He had the sass, the class and voice of any true Lola. Whilst Lola is fun free, and full of life, Charlie, played by David Grace, is serious, level headed yet ambitious, and David played this exceptionally and made a perfect half of the amazing casting triumph of the dream team Lola and Charlie. Both of these actors threw their heart and soul into the performance and their singing was utter perfection. My favourite two songs of the show being I am Not My Fathers Son and Soul of a Man.

The entirety of the teams should be immensely proud of the masterpiece I watched this evening. All I can hope for this group is that the rest of the run gets the same response. I am certainly going to tell anyone I know to get tickets and not miss a truly immersive experience. Scarborough Theatre Company go out there and show everyone it does not matter who you are or what you do, you can still bring true joy to any audience.

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