Review: KINKY BOOTS, Bristol Hippodrome

There's something undeniably irrepressible about Kinky Boots - it's a fully sequinned, unabashed romp through a true (ish) story of a shoe factory threatened with closure until a radical idea to start producing oh so fabulous boots for drag queens appears.

The idea appears in the form of Lola, a drag queen from London whose chance encounter with Charlie Price - a fourth generation shoemaker from Northampton inspires an unlikely business partnership and, ultimately friendship.

At first look, the soul (or is that sole?) of the show appears to be in the plight of another British factory faced with closure because of cheaper imports from overseas. But this is no Billy Elliot - this show is really about acceptance. It dabbles in timely identity politics as it encourages its cast of characters to accept people for who they are.

It's a simple message but an effective one. Especially when paired with Cyndi Lauper's bombastic score. It may be her first foray into writing for musical theatre, but she fuses her well-honed pop sensibilities with more musical friendly tones and the result is a pleasing canon of earworms.

Less successful is Harvey Fierstein's cliché-laden book. There are some witty one-liners but the second half, in particular, is heavy with unexplored feelings packed into overused phrases. This adds to a sense that the second half isn't as pacy or memorable as the first. And no self-respecting English person has ever referred to Northampton as 'Northampton Town'.

The cast is uniformly superb. From the high-kicking Angels to the factory workers, the ensemble works tirelessly. Joel Harper-Jackson is a likeable Charlie Price and has the right kind of voice to soar in Lauper's score.

The main plaudits though are reserved for Kayi Ushe as Lola. Blessed with the best lines and the best songs, it's a dream of a part and Ushe doesn't disappoint. From drag show to factory floor, Ushe displays great light and shade as Lola - not an easy task given the shortcomings of the script.

As its first UK tour, the set and costumes dazzle as brightly as the cast. There's been no downsizing or budget cutting here. It's a slick show deserving of the Hippodrome's space.

Kinky Boots then might have a few kinks in its leather, but just like the boots themselves, it's got strength within.

Kinky Boots at Bristol Hippodrome until 9 March

Photo Credit: Helen Maybanks

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