Review
Review
Review: Kinky Boots
Johannes Radebe and Matt Cardle lead an electric ensemble in this stylish revival at the London Coliseum
London’s biggest theatre is a fitting home for Kinky Boots, a musical that encourages you to fill whatever stage you’re given. Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe does exactly that as Lola, the self-possessed drag queen who strikes up an unlikely partnership with Charlie Price, recent inheritor of his father’s shoe factory. The Coliseum stage may be enormous, but you’d need twice the square footage to accommodate Radebe’s charisma – it will surprise no one to hear that the professional dancer bleeds star quality, and has a surprisingly fine singing voice to boot.
Also unsurprising is the fact that dance is at the heart of director Nikolai Foster’s vision for this production. Leah Hill’s feisty choreography leads the way, bringing new heat and fire to Cindy Lauper’s radio pop score. Based on the 2005 film inspired by the true story of a Northampton shoe factory, Kinky Boots sees Price & Son save themselves from closure by serving a niche clientele – making stiletto boots suitable for drag queens. This production’s standout number comes in the form of Lola’s ode to impractical shoes (‘The Sex Is In The Heel’) and Hill lets Radebe’s ballroom roots out to play here – between them, and with the aid of the show’s fantastic ensemble, they turn the song into a showstopper.
Singer and The X Factor alum Matt Cardle is the foil to Lola’s flair, playing everyman Charlie Price, the ambitious but directionless young man who has found himself next in line to take over the family business. Cardle brings a great deal of likeability to Charlie, and a powerful, raw vocal to self-reflective number ‘Soul Of A Man.’ Courtney Bowman plays smitten factory worker Lauren – a hard role not to shine in, but Bowman deserves her flowers, knocking crowd pleaser ‘The History Of Wrong Guys’ out of the park. Also a standout is Scott Paige as George, distinguishing himself amongst a talented ensemble cast with his booming baritone and excellent sense of comedy.
Kinky Boots is about identity, individuality and community, but it’s also about spectacle. What Foster and company create at the London Coliseum is as large a larger-than-life show as can be wished for. Expect a good time – and if you’ve ever complained about walking a short distance in heels, expect to leave feeling thoroughly put to shame.
Kinky Boots is currently playing at the London Coliseum until 11 July – find tickets here
