Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots is a musical based on the 2005 British film Kinky Boots; and is somewhat inspired by the true story of a young man who inherited a shoe factory from his father. He forms an unlikely partnership with a cabaret performer and drag queen to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business.

HMOS’ programme was a class item, containing masses of information about the society and the current show, coupled with beautiful photos of the cast and the artistic team. It was a lovely gesture to include a list of other societies’ upcoming productions.

The set was an attractive presentation of a factory floor with equipment, different levels and…a catwalk. This last was used very effectively by the Angels as they sashayed sinuously towards the stage. Lighting effects were very attractive. Sound was always of a good level. Cecil Hepworth amplification is not particularly efficient and bands can drown out singers. Anisa Bharmal‘s ensemble produced beautiful sound and supported the songs with their clever lyrics.

Costumes were very well chosen…a range of retro for the factory scenes (well it is Northampton), high glamour for the dancers and glorious kinky boots, that were worn so confidently by everyone in the finale. Props were many and varied. They looked right and were used effectively. Set moves were always carried out smoothly by the stage crew and cast members.

We got good value from choreographer, Della Bhujoo. She’d devised wonderful physical theatre for the ensemble and great dance numbers for two dance groups: Featured Dancers (Rachel Chambers, Daisy Mae Hearn, Lucy Kanish & Vicky Taylor) as well as the Angels (Luke Box, Tyrone Haywood, Craig Marshall & Tyler Pannone). They all looked gorgeous!

The Most Beautiful Thing was an attractive ensemble number, that featured Mr Price (Robert Gadd), Young Charlie Price (Theodore Flick) and Young Simon (Christian Nicolaides); contrasted with Nicola (Maddy Bettany) and adult Charlie’s (Freddie Brown) attempts to make a new life in London.

Nicola was determined and dominating. Maddy made the character fully believable and three-dimensional. Her boss, Richard (Jacob Rose), was the consummate, dodgy property developer; realistic and funny, without resorting to parody.

Take What You Got was gloriously sung by Harry (Ben Glover) the cynical but loyal friend of Charlie. It was  accompanied by a good crisp dance routine.

In a seedy nightclub, Charlie encountered a drag queen, Simon/Lola…a very skilful & sensitive performance by David Gregory. Lola introduced us to the Angels in the exciting number Land of Lola. The action was cleverly juxtaposed with scenes of factory business.

Peter Brooker gave a good portrayal of George, the factory manager as being ‘old school’…focussed on quality product, but then creating the all important heel. Cue for a super, sexy number, Sex is in the Heel.

Factory worker Lauren (Alexandra Goodden) gave a sparkling performance with good physical comedy. She sang Wrong Guys at full throttle with crystal clear diction.

Not My Father’s Son was a gripping duet from Charlie and Simon/Lola; and Everybody Say Yeah gave a powerful finish to ACT I.

What a Woman Wants was a terrific song enhanced with lovely movement.

The thuggish foreman, Don (Kieran Janes) mocked Charlie and Simon’s attempts to create the new line; and encouraged workers like Pat (Teri-Ann Carter) and Trish (Julie Antoniu) to oppose it. But after some well choreographed fisticuffs (In This Corner), he came around and supported the project.

Then Charlie gave us Soul of a Man…a powerful cry from the heart.

Kinky Boots is blessed with very good, comic dialogue and an excellent range of songs. It’s a lovely feel-good show, with enough struggle and tension to stop it from becoming saccharine.

Maddie Hope Coelho certainly made the most of this material and of her team. ALL of her cast gave energised, naturalistic performances. Freddie and David led from the front. They totally inhabited their characters; and their singing and movement were a joy.

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