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Review: Kinky Boots, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘Laced with joy: this show still dazzles’
12 years after its Broadway debut, the story of Kinky Boots still serves up a serious dose of joy. And it feels more vital than ever. Harvey Fierstein’s book is buoyed by Cyndi Lauper’s cracking narrative of music and lyrics, making the musical a compelling study of paternal pressure, perseverance, and self-acceptance.
The story of Steve Pateman was first told in a BBC2 documentary before the turn of the Millennium. The 2005 film Kinky Boots then laid the artistic foundation for the colourful, high-energy staging now on display at the Hippodrome.
It takes a wee while to get going, though. After a meandering 10-or-so minutes, Lola’s first appearance with the sensational Angels serves as the de facto catalyst for all the pomp and pizzazz that follows. Johannes Radebe is a certified star, with few turns more electric than Sex is in the Heel, played out under pulsating purple strobes as the drag queen’s path intertwines with Charlie’s.
is needed now More than ever
Johannes Radebe as Lola (centre) & the Angles in Kinky Boots – photo: Pamela Raith
Radebe immaculately captures the gravitas that makes Lola a force of change — both for the shoe factory and the wider community. Lola’s every entrance pulses with charisma and command. Even in the brief glimpse we have of ‘Simon from Clacton’, Radebe captures the shadowy, sad backstory with aplomb.
The rest of the cast certainly rise to the mark, too. Lauren — one of Charlie’s employees in a spot of romantic bother — steals the spotlight plenty of times with apparent ease thanks to Courtney Bowman’s pitch perfect turn. Every grimace and bubbly outburst is infectious, and The History of Wrong Guys is a standout number. Scott Paige has some wonderful moments as factory worker George, and even Jonathan Dryden Taylor — first as Charlie’s father and then as an Angel — is difficult to peel your eyes away from. Hilarious.
Dan Partridge as Charlie Price & Kara Lily Hayworth as Nicola – photo: Johan Perrson
The music obscures some of the lyrics at turns, but the score lends itself perfectly to topical jokes and ruminations. What a Woman Wants is a fascinating critique of gender norms, paving the way for worker Don (Joe Caffrey) to sideline his chauvinism and accept “someone for who they are”.
There’s even a nod to recent Government policy debate with a line about men’s and women’s bathrooms, and a steady undercurrent of acceptance that permeates the characters. At times, its empowering message teeters on the brink of preachy, but Kinky Boots’ spot in the modern musical canon makes it a perfect vessel for such messaging. I’d certainly be interested to see how this play goes down in modern America.
LtoR Cole Dunn, Johannes Radebe as Lola, Courtney Bowman as Lauren, Kaya Farrugia, Deena Kapadia & Cerys Burton – photo: Pamela Raith
Amid the accumulating flamboyance, it can be a bit difficult to get onboard with Charlie himself. That’s no reflection on Dan Partridge’s solid turn, but more the result of plot and pacing. In the second Act, Charlie’s bigoted fall from grace and subsequent redemption arc seem a touch rushed, albeit an important conduit to the sensational final scene and number Just Be, when the entire cast are clad in those glittering red boots.
With shades of other uplifting works like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (which perhaps boasts more instantly memorable earworms), this is a musical brought to life by a phenomenal cast tackling deeply relevant themes. From its moments of quiet reflection to the all-out extravaganza of song and dance, Kinky Boots is a show of high kicks and even higher stakes. It’s well worth catching on its current tour.
Johannes Radebe as Lola (centre) & the Angels – photo: Pamela Raith
Kinky Boots is at Bristol Hippodrome on May 13-17 at 7.30pm with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For the latest ticket availability, visit www.atgtickets.com.
Main photo: Pamela Raith
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