Kinky Boots the Musical

Kinky Boots the Musical

Book by Harvey Feinstein

Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

Performed by Exeter Little Theatre Society

On 28th July 2025 at The Northcott Theatre Exeter

Directed by Daniel McLoughlin

Musical Director – Simon Carter

Choreographer – Paris Selley

 

The stage was dressed with a stunning set of sliding front tabs beautifully designed as the front of the Price’s factory, with brick faced iron worked flats and pavement flooring. The story of Price and Sons, is a true story of Steve Pateman and his attempt to save the family shoe business in Northampton by making women’s shoes and boots in men’s sizes to sell to a local transgender fashion store. Sadly, the business closed in 2000, but from it arose this phoenix from the flame, Kinky Boots The Musical.

On a bench, front of stage, we first met young Lola, played by a wonderful young actor with terrific stage presence and a voice to boot, as he struggles in heels and with an intolerant and unsupportive father.  David Hill as Mr Price, Charlie’s dad and young Charlie, played by a lovely young actor who not only has an angelic face but has a voice that goes with it, both had a lovely connection. These two young actors were crucial to the story and gave realistic and heartwarming performances.

The professional set hired from Scenic Projects consisted of the sliding front tabs, which moved easily to reveal the realistic working of Price’s shoes factory with two sewing machine positions, a working roller conveyor belt (stage right) which was used to great effect by the Angels entrance into the factory and various other trucks cleverly created as a toilet block or wardrobe and used effectively throughout. Two stained glass effect oval windows and one large round window gave an almost reverent effect and a raised galleried terrace served as Mr Price’s office positioned at the rear of the set with exit and entrance off stage. A cleverly designed set which provided depth and interest for the audience.

The lighting, which had to be plotted in only four hours, was designed with great thought. The use of numerous moving down-lights, especially spotting the Angels and Lola, and a wonderful pink back light lighting a stunningly dressed Lola performing ‘Hold Me in Your Heart’.  There were so many brilliant lighting touches, the blues and greens to give the factory a depressive look, then oranges and white when fortunes change. I saw the production on its first night and the sound engineers pick up on personal mics was excellent and the orchestra levels, after a twiddle, settled. 

The director, Dan McLoughlin and his production team have had to battle through losing their original choreographer, Mai Lin due to family illness, a few months into rehearsals and their originally cast Lola, only 5 weeks before curtain up. Paris Selley stepped into take over as choreographer and Regan stepped up to play Lola and what a fantastic performance he gave. This was a show-stopping, standing ovation achievement by an actor who has a powerful voice, a gifted acting ability and that star quality needed for this role.

Alongside Charlie Price, played by Keiran, these two actors made this not just a good or great Kinky Boots but one of the best amateurs shows I have had the pleasure to witness. EVER!

Keiran was powerful as Charlie, believable in every way especially when he was frustrated and angry with the quality of the boots, throughout the gorgeous duet with Simon/Lola ‘Not my Father’s Son’ which had audience members wiping their eyes. Again, an actor who has such presence and is a delight to watch.  Cast as Nicola, Charlie’s girlfriend, Florence was genuine in her need for success for herself and Charlie. This part is sometimes played as an uncompromising bitchy role but this performance worked for me and was directed with subtleness. Lauren played by Freya had good comedic timing and belted out ‘The History of Wrong Guys’ whilst nervously trying to understand her feelings. This was certainly cast well with a grumpy Don, played by David, an unhappy and unfulfilled man whose mind is changed in regard to Simon/Lola after a cleverly choreographed boxing match between them.  Very sensitive touches such as Don accepting Lola were acted so beautifully.  I especially loved the scene when Trish (Sarah) loses it with Charlie and the hilarious Adrian as the foreman, George, who stole the show with every line. Pat, played by Grace, who was perfectly happy as she gave bad news to Charlie also a lovely natural actor. With a cameo role as the Milan Stage Manager, and her accentuated ‘Italian’ accent, Alice had the whole audience screaming with laughter.

The Angels certainly lifted the audience up when ever they entered. With beautiful coordinated costumes of red and black, they looked spectacular and performed with such enthusiasm. Each move choreographed was danced with sass and each reveled in their ‘drag-queen’ character throughout. They were perfect supporting actors to Lola. Cast and crew moved stage props and trucks so there were no blackouts required and the production was fluid and polished.

My congratulations to Paris Selley, as the choreography and movement was exceptional. The clever almost balletic moves as the Angels created the boxing ring with their bodies and legs and their energy in ‘the Land of Lola’, the young actors as they mime the feelings of Charlie and Lola (a lovely touch) and the whole cast in ‘Raise You Up’, totally did just that. The cast worked hard to provide a super sound throughout under the musical direction of Simon Carter especially within the ensemble numbers. 

Congratulations are due to the huge number of people who produced this. The wardrobe team, the backstage crew, sound engineers, lighting crew, those calm people on spots, the make-up team, props, front of house and publicity all should take a bow.  Dan McLoughlin brought this cast together and molded them into a talented team of performers, with every actor on stage having a purpose in every scene and each supporting actor and ensemble member I watched, on and off the word, remaining in character. Cast and crew moved stage props and trucks so there were no blackouts required and the production was fluid and polished. All of these showed the excellent direction of the piece.  

Exeter Little Theatre Company have achieved exceptional success over the last few years and Kinky Boots tops them all. In the words of Graham Liverton, Noda’s National President, who attended this performance with me and addressed the cast, “this is the very best Kinky Boots I have ever seen”. 

Lyn Burgoyne Noda Representative South West District 5 (Mid and East Devon)

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.