Kinky Boots @ Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh
Anchored by a mesmerizing performance from Kayi Ushe, Kinky Boots is feisty, fun and vivacious
Firmly stepping its best high-heeled, sparkling, bright-red boot forward, Kinky Boots – directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, and based on the 2005 British film written by Geoff Diane and Tim Firth – is a fun, bold, and sassy production.
Featuring original music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this musical, inspired by true events, journeys from the failing Northampton-based fictional Price & Son shoe factory to the heady heights of the glamorous catwalks of Milan.
The story follows the trials of Charlie Price, played by Joel Harper-Jackson, who has rather reluctantly inherited his father’s failing shoe factory and now has the fate of all of its workers resting on his shoulders. With a lack of orders for the season ahead for their usual men’s brogues, the factory is on the brink of closure until Charlie discovers a new niche market - making daring, bejewelled, brightly coloured stilettos strong enough for drag queens to wear. Hiring larger-than-life London-based performer Lola as his designer, the duo set about shaking up the factory, and at the same time begin challenging the small-minded prejudices of the local community, by redefining just what being a man means.
With slick choreography throughout, the stage is awash with a kaleidoscope of colourful action. From sassy dance moves by the mesmerising Lola, played by absolute star Kayi Ushe (from 17th December), backed by the captivating angels, to a slow-motion boxing match, to the conveyor belt jogging through the factory, the pace is swift and exciting. But as well as all the fun and frolics, this musical also has a lot of heart, with touching moments, including Ushe’s pitch-perfect performance of 'Hold Me In Your Heart' which soars across the audience.
Kinky Boots is a feisty, fun, vivacious show which, behind all of its sass and sparkles, has an uplifting message about being who you want to be, rather than just filling the shoes of those who came before you.
Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 5 January: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/kinky-boots/edinburgh-playhouse/#showinfotabs=showtimes