The theatregoers of North Staffordshire have been blessed in 2025 with the West End offerings that have been available and the touring programme for the year comes to an end with the star-studded Kinky Boots.
There was a huge line of patrons that snaked through the Cultural Quarter as they eagerly awaited their entrance into the theatre building. Was their eagerness to be rewarded? The answer is a huge yes, yes and thrice yes.
Charlie (Dan Partridge) is expected to inherit a shoe-making factory that has been in the family for generations. However, the And Son part of the company name has other ideas and intends to build a life in the Big City with his real-estate partner Nicola (Joanna O’Hare).
Charlie’s future is thrown into turmoil when he hears of his father’s (Jonathan Dryden Taylor) sudden death and he returns to Northampton for the funeral.
He finds a business close to bankruptcy making a product that is of high quality but out of fashion and beyond the means of most men in the street. A temporary solution to the cash flow problem is met when he manages to empty a packed stock room by selling to friend Harry (Liam Doyle) at a knockdown price but the new owner – despite wanting to maintain his father’s legacy and aware that many of the shop floor workers have been with the company for decades – feels that he will have to close the business down despite the imploring of George (Scott Paige).
A possible solution arrives in strange circumstances. Charlie attempts to intervene when a female is being accosted by two drunks and is knocked unconscious. When he comes around, he finds himself in a seedy nightclub.
The star attraction is Lola (Tosh Wanogho-Maud) – really Simon from Clacton – who is lead singer in a drag act. With his knowledge of shoemaking, Charlie realises that the usual women’s footwear is not fit to support the weight of a fully grown-man and he may just be able to find a solution both for cross dressers and his factory.
With the support of Lauren (Courtney Bowman) who believes that there is a future in tracking down a niche market and has long held a crush for her new boss. With Lola brought on board as a designer, there seems a glimmer of hope for the factory’s future and Charlie decides to exhibit at the forthcoming Milan exhibition.
Unfortunately, there are obstacles in the way. Don (Billy Roberts) and Trish (Jessica Daley) are too set in their heterosexual ways and are very much against the appearance of an over the top Lola on the shop floor.
With money rapidly running out, an over reliance on perfection that causes conflict with an exhausted workforce and the bombshell reveal of what his father really wanted to happen to his factory, Charlie rapidly becomes alienated.
What is Nicola’s reaction to her fiancé remaining in the provinces? Will the kinky red boots designed by Lola make it to Milan? And can the broken friendship between Charlie and Lola ever be repaired?
The audience has great fun in finding out what the finale to this fantastic piece of musical theatre proves to be and discover the unlikely person to pull everyone back together.
Kinky Boots is the final offering before the festive season begins and caps off a splendid year. There would be little for even the harshest of critics to complain about. All of the cast and ensemble put in great performances that allow the fun and laughter – and occasional pain – to be enjoyed by all including the cast members themselves.
Special mention must be made of the performances of Wanogho-Maud and Partridge. They have a beautiful on-stage chemistry and both show some excellent comic timing with faultless vocal strengths to complement their all-round skills. Wanogho-Maud has an unbelievable vocal range that allows him to sing both as Simon and Lola with equally high quality.
Director Harvey Fierstein has brought a slice of magic to the Potteries and the cast do great justice to the score from Cyndi Lauper with I’m Not My Father’s Son particularly hard-hitting. With music directed by Grant Walsh following arrangement by George Dyer, an excellent set and costumes designed by Robert Jones, eye-catching choreography from Leah Hill and very effective lighting and sound directed by Ben Cracknell and Adam Fisher, this is the perfect package of entertainment to brighten the gloom of late November.
Kinky Boots is a fun-filled play that teaches the joy of diversity and acceptance of others and demonstrates how hope and togetherness can overcome adversity and had the audience on its feet before the final note had ended. Excellent acting, a powerful score, laughter throughout and an important message succinctly delivered. What a show –this five-star production deserves to be seen more than once.
I really do have the urge to buy a pair of those boots. Can anyone teach me how to walk in heels?
Kinky Boots has a running time of approximately 2 hours 20 minutes and continues until November 30th. For availability contact atg.com/stoke
