Musical Review: Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre was a joyous celebration of music, self-love, and of course, shoes. The show tells the story of shoe factory owner Charlie, who decides he can keep his company afloat by making shoes for a niche market: drag queens.

A joyous celebration of music, self-love, and of course, shoes

The ensemble played a huge role in this show, with each performer embodying their part to perfection. The dialogue, costumes, and body language of the factory workers made the setting of the Price and Son shoe factory totally believable. Each worker had an entire personality of their own, from dialogue to facial expressions and clothing, which is often difficult to achieve so naturally in a show with a large ensemble. Special mentions must go to Nicholas Sullivan as George, Imogen Wood as Lauren, and Amy Evans as Pat.

Jaii Andrew as Lola, Simon’s drag persona, held the audience in the palm of his hand. As Lola, he sashayed and slayed across the stage and had the audience in stitches several times throughout the show. His vulnerability as Simon added another layer to the show and his duet with Alec White as Charlie ‘Not My Father’s Son’ easily proved to be the emotional highlight of this production of Kinky Boots. Andrew not only delivered every choreographed number with energy and precision, but his vocal performance was the strongest on stage. His ability to bring a raw soulfulness to his numbers as Simon, while performing with pizzazz as Lola marks Andrews out as a truly versatile actor. Andrews in this production absolutely cannot be missed.

He [Jaii Andrew] sashayed and slayed across the stage and had the audience in stitches several times throughout the show

White was perfect for the role of Charlie, and his natural ability to portray the ever-optimistic yet slightly out-of-his-depth shoemaker meant I often forgot I was watching someone act. The scene where he berates the factory workers and demeans Simon was hard to watch, purely due to White’s believability in the role. Charlie’s attempt to walk on the runway in heels was hilarious, and ‘Raise You Up/ Just Be’ saw White tackle an entire dance number in the iconic ‘Kinky Boots,’ which he delivered seemingly with ease.

The Angels added another level of fabulousness to the show. Their dance numbers were energy-filled, with a particular highlight including two Angels cartwheeling across the stage before jumping into the splits. The interactions between the Angels and the factory workers were genuinely endearing and the workers reflected the reactions of the audience every time the Angels performed.

The interactions between the Angels and the factory workers were genuinely endearing

The costumes were a perfect mix between embellished bodysuits and six-inch red thigh-high stiletto boots, and jeans, trainers, and t-shirts. The costuming of the factory workers was authentic, the ‘everyday’ casual look of the workers did not look forced as it so often can do in stage productions. The showstoppers were without a doubt the final costumes worn by The Angels, who strutted out on stage in Great Britain inspired, bedazzled outfits, complete with matching boots.

As the entire cast came onto the stage for one final number, the audience was up on their feet, dancing along. This production of Kinky Boots featured a fabulous cast, brilliant staging and costuming, and so much energy.