Harvey Fierstein, music by Cyndi Lauper, based on the screenplay by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth
Curve, Leicester and Royo Entertainment
Palace Theatre, Manchester
Feb 4-8, 2025;
(also at Stockton Globe, April 29-May 3; Newcastle Theatre Royal, May 6-10; Leeds Grand, May 20-24; Sheffield Lyceum, June 24-28; Liverpool Empire, July 8-12)
Somehow I’d managed to escape the march of Kinky Boots, the entertainment, which started life as a 2005 British film before being transformed into a successful musical.
The story, based on more than a grain of truth, tells of a traditional Northampton shoe factory about to succumb to waves of cheap, foreign-produced lower-quality shoes.
Not the usual setting for a lively musical, but it works because the factory’s sensible decision to diversify takes the scenes to the sparkle, drama and emotionality of the world of the drag queen.
A chance encounter between Charlie, reluctantly battling the imminent demise of the family firm, and drag queen Lola, presents an opportunity: Charlie can follow the "diversify" advice of his devoted employee Lauren and design kinky boots, sufficiently well crafted for their heels to take the weight of a fully grown man. This might save the firm – as well as Lola’s ankles.
The main interest in this revival tour is the casting of Johannes Radebe, whose talent, empathy, and communication on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has earned him a place in the heart of much of the nation, particularly in the Manchester section of the nation.
While the factory setting may be visually as dull, or even duller, than musicals might wish to be, we find interesting variety provided by the people who work there, their needs, their desires, their talents, prejudices and enthusiasms playing out on stage as the story develops. These Individuals react differently to the challenges they face.
George, played with unleashing verve by Scott Paige, is delightfully liberated; while Don, a very believable Jo Caffrey, is initially a barrier to change and a character whose eventual salvation is all the more welcome and effective.
Lauren meanwhile has two big ideas: that the factory should diversify and that, after a life of falling for the wrong man, she’s now falling for Charlie. Played with guts by Courtney Bowman, the role comes alive with the song The History of Wrong Guys. The combination of powerful singing and audience identification ensures the character is a real hit.
Dan Partridge as Charlie offers a relatively slow but successful rise as he builds strength, moving away from a rather blind resistance to family expectations to recognise the value of tradition and the importance of the firm to the workers and wider community. A fighting spirit develops.
This is a well-structured and engaging musical, with a range of characters, a decent storyline and plenty of enjoyable if not particularly memorable songs. The show’s central themes, of accepting people for who they really are, tolerance and acceptance, self-belief and opportunity, as well as the powerful bond of father and son and the important bond of community, are well displayed and empower the show to be more than just a simple, if unusual, story.
But the star of the show is the one the audience has this time come to see. I can’t imagine a better Lola than Johannes Radebe. He arrives on stage to a rapturous welcome, giving Lola the command and presence she needs.
It’s hard to focus on anyone else. If you’re a Strictly fan, you’ll know how his body attracts the eyes, how he moves, how it ripples; even how he remains still.
The talent is immense. A few years ago Johannes brought his Freedom show - his first - to Manchester and we saw his wider dancing skills, not just Latin and Ballroom but Jazz, modern, disco and African too. Now we get the chance to see him act and sing too.
The star's singing voice has limitations, but his song delivery doesn’t suffer. He enunciates with the same precision he brings when dancing. Adding this to his emotional range means the songs appear authentic and hit the spot. Exactly.
Johannes also showcases a wonderful set of costumes, which in turn show off his physique. As for acting talent, I’m sure it’s there but sometimes it’s hard to tell. The story of Lola who, like Charlie, also resists the pressures of paternal expectations and, like Charlie, comes to terms with them, strikes chords with the life story Johannes has shared with his audiences about gaining acceptance after moving to the UK and particularly Manchester, which he visited often when partnering actor Catherine Tyldesley in Strictly some years ago. Is Johannes acting or simply sharing? I’m not sure it matters on this occasion.
Johannes will not be performing at some matinees and some venues, so if you particularly want to see him, check the schedule carefully. But this is an entertaining and engaging, award-winning show anyway and won't disappoint.
Having said that there is no doubt that Johannes’ presence makes the show special. He brings a level of emotion that provides great authenticity to his performance. And the standing ovation was the most genuine and loudest I've experienced.
Is this review obsessed with Johannes? Yes, undoubtedly. But I’m also recognising the quality of everyone else, on stage and behind it. If you get a chance to see why, take it.
More info and tickets here
