Kinky Boots – Theatre Royal, Norwich

Music/Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Book: Harvey Fierstein
Director: Chris Cuming

Kinky Boots based on the 2005 film about a Northampton shoe factory which gives itself a makeover to survive by creating high quality boots for drag queens, has just strut its way into Norwich in the hands of the NNOS team. Charlie Price (Dominic Sands) takes over his father’s failing shoe business with little interest in the product and less of an idea of how to save the workers from unemployment. A few words and a chance meeting later send him down a path he never expects and he changes the whole outlook of the factory from creating something predictable to sky high heels. Heels which, admittedly, this show wobbles along on at times.

Akeen Ellis-Hyman is at times outstanding as Lola/Simon, more so during the quieter moments of introspection and reflection than the earlier numbers performed in her club which feels unexpectedly timid compared to the character who arrives in Northampton a few scenes later. As the only professional member of the cast in an amateur show, it should be expected that Ellis-Hyman claims the spotlight of this performance, but it is in fact Emmie Wright as Lauren who really steals the show.

Wright’s rendition of The History of Wrong Guys is genuinely funny and performed with joyful abandon which has the entire audience immediately routing for her. In every scene she is in, Wright is the strongest performer giving her character a sense of humour, while still portraying her gentle and unsure side gradually build into confidence.

The ensemble in this piece are certainly enthusiastic, but there are times when one or two of them seem genuinely lost. In the opening number in particular the cast member waving enthusiastically at an audience member was rather odd, there were more than a few instances of performers bumping into one another as they marched towards their marks, and occasionally it was unclear whether the stagehands were supposed to be in the scenes or had simply become trapped on the stage.

Kinky Boots, from the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic society, is clearly a labour of love, with the whole cast giving the show their all. There are bum notes, missed cues, and fluffed lines, but the audience is guaranteed to leave with a smile on their face as the sheer pleasure this group of performers take from bringing this show to the stage is infectious. And if nothing else, staying for the final curtain means witnessing the pure joy that is Terrel Taylor, as a young Lola/Simon takes a bow in a manner which utterly and unexpectedly encapsulates Lola.

Runs Until: 4 Feb 2023