West End smash hit will leave you head over heels

SIMON DUKE GIVES HIS VERDICT ON A SHOW AS COLOURFUL AND VIBRANT AS THE BOOTS WHICH TAKE CENTRE STAGE

THE thermometer might have dipped in Newcastle this week as winter closes in, but the temperature at the Theatre Royal is red hot as smash-hit musical Kinky Boots struts onto stage in serious and sassy style.

I’ll get this out of the way early doors – while I enjoyed the film of the same name, I wasn’t blown away by it by any means – but the musical impressed me no end and even had me yearning to slip into a pair of stilettos. Well, at least until I remembered my balance is appalling!

With music by legend Cyndi Lauper, I had more than an inkling that I’d enjoy the show’s score at the very least, but the songs were just the foundations of a musical juggernaut that can’t fail to make one hell of an impact.

And that’s all down to a superb cast who, as well as looking like they were having the time of their lives on stage, performed their socks – or rather their stilettos – off from start to finish.

The story of a Northampton shoe factory which taps into the niche market of producing ‘kinky boots’ for drag queens to save its own future, is brought to the stage with real passion, colour and conviction.

Leading the line as Simon from Clacton, best known as glamorous alter ego Lola, Callum Francis is a stunning and statuesque force of nature.

Right from his entrance to Land of Lola, Callum puts in a performance that completely demands and commands attention.

Packing just as much of a punch in more vulnerable moments, when revealing his fractured relationship with his father, as he does in sequinclad show-stopping numbers, Callum is a tremendous talent who completely lights up the stage.

A very different role but one just as pivotal to the plot is that of Charlie Price, the heir to shoe manufacturers Price & Son, whose world is sent into disarray following the shock death of his father.

Ploughing his energy into the business’ shock new line of footwear rather than his relationship with ambitious career woman Nicola, played with perfect poise by Helen Ternent, Charlie channels his grief into his work and Joel Harper-Jackson gets right to the heart of his turmoil, playing the part with real grit, determination and a fantastic singing voice to boot.

Leaving her own turmoil on the Wetherfield cobbles well behind here, former Coronation Street star Paula Lane brought more laughs than an appointment at Audrey’s Salon as Lauren, the loyal Price & Son employee with a huge crush on Charlie.

Her Corrie alias Kylie didn’t have much to smile about during her time in the street so it was a joy to see Paula

have an absolute ball on stage in her latest role and display some impeccable and infectious comic timing.

Kinky Boots is a musical where no one can afford to have an off-day as with a fast paced book, seamless staging and lots of dancing in skyscraper heels, the whole ensemble needs to be on the money from curtain up to curtain call. Everyone has a part to play and you’d probably already guess from my high praise, they do so VERY well!

Demitri Lampra’s narrow-minded Don goes full circle in his acceptance of Lola and what she stands for and even he ends up dancing in heels and the Angels – Connor Collins, John H. Dempsey, Damon Gould, Joshua Lovell, Chileshe Mondelle and Toyan Thomas-Browne – are striking star turns.

Kinky Boots has it all – there are poignant moments aplenty and songs that will make your in-seat shoulder shimmy escalate into full-on dancing in the aisles.

Finale Raise You Up is one of the most memorable musical numbers I’ve heard in a while and the whole show is one I will most definitely be sure to see again. Put your best foot forward and get to the Theatre Royal ASAP as Kinky Boots is (excuse the puns!) a polished production with lots of sole!

Kinky Boots is at Theatre Royal Newcastle until Saturday, November 10. Get your tickets from the box office or online from the Theatre Royal website.