‘Just Be, Who You Wanna Be!’ – Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre, London 2.08.2016

Following a few rubbish days, and 2 annoying Migraines I had had enough and thought I would try my luck on Wednesday, to which turned about to be an amazing surprise.

If you own a smart phone, and your a theatre lover like myself then I highly recommend downloading the TodayTix app, not only does it provide you with full information of all productions running currently on the West End but you can pay for tickets for the same day, or for the weeks showings. Along with this TodayTix has partnered up with some theatre companies, and shows that allow the public to enter a ‘ticket lottery’ for front row tickets. ‘Kinky Boots’ is a participating production and for months I have been entering the competition to win 2 front row tickets for the evening performances (Saturday Matinee’s is only included not Wednesdays) at the great price of £20 each. So on Wednesday morning I thought ‘why not’ I know I would just get the 15.30 e-mail to say I was unsuccessful but I’ll try anyway, and to my surprise and excitement on return from a midday run my phone trumpeted (A tone I have not heard before) to inform me that I was todays winner and I had an hour to claim my tickets. Even though I had yet to have a second taker for the spare ticket my bank account was £40 cheaper, and lucky enough my Theatre buddy Hayleigh was lucky to have the evening free and managed to get a train to London just in time to take our seats in the theatre!

Tonights performance was being performed at the Adelphi Theatre based on the Strand it has been home to many musicals throughout the years, and one that I have passed many times with ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ (Lee Mead) ‘Sweeney Todd’ (Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton), The Bodyguard (Beverly Knight), and Made in Dagenham, but in 2015 Kinky Boots premiered and now lights the Strand with its bright red lights. This wasn’t my first time at the theatre, being lucky to see Sweeney Todd when I was up in London seeing a friend, we had purchased tickets on the day, and were based up in the Upper Circle at the very back where at times the top of the stage was cut off, we did however move forward where our view was much better but still only feet could be seen at times if the top of the stage was being used, but I wouldn’t be put off by this as ticket prices are reasonable. Tonight however I had no complaints as TodayTix meant I was front row A15 and A16 at a great price of £20, no obstruction what so ever and I never minded having to look up when the performers were in the office which is elevated, for the price I paid I couldn’t stop smiling, and I can understand that any seats in the stalls would be a fine view, with maybe a little cut off at the top for those at the far back of the stalls. You can see from the photo I had a little difficulty trying to fit it all in!

‘Kinky Boots’ is a brand new musical which is based on the top British film of the same name which came out in 2005, it tells the story of Charlie Price, who grew up with his father and the family shoe business. Charlie never really wanted to take his fathers place in the factory but take off with his girlfriend Nicola to London and begin a new life working in Retail Marketing. Yet, following the untimely death of his father, Charlie is placed in that position, and also learns that the business has be slowly failing in the past years. Trying to save the business and it workers Charlie encounters a flamboyant cabaret drag queen singer, Lola, and when she complains about the inadequate footwear for her work, combined with Lauren (an ex-employer of the factory) Charlie comes up with a change of product for the factory to create a desperate chance to save the business by making footwear for drag queens and produce shoes that will hold the weight of that of a man. Lola joins the clan in becoming the designer (following a horrific burgundy fashion no no) and partners up with Charlie to create a new line of boots for the fashion show in Milan in hope will save the factory and its workers. With a few hiccups along the way, this story is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

I am was a huge fan of the film, having only watched it a few weeks back before seeing the musical it is such a feel good film and exactly a great representation of British comedy! I was intrigued to see how it transfers into a musical with the songs being written by Cyndi Lauper and I was very impressed, the Musical was very true to the film, and if you were a fan of the musical you could depict the great lines that they kept that had the audience laughing throughout, however one line ‘if you can’t get girls to wear them….you’ll never get blocks like me to’ from Lola just wasn’t as good as Chiwetel Ejiofor’s in the film. The thing I also noticed with this musical is they didn’t bombard it with musical numbers but had 15 brand new songs incorporated into the story that fitted perfectly with the story, particular favourites were ‘The History of Wrong Guys’ ‘Everybody say Yeah’ (which I really think they should of performed that number at the Oliviers and not ‘Sex is in the Heel’) and ‘Raise you up/Just Be.’ Knowing I loved the Musical I ensured that I wasn’t going to listen, or no anything about the production until I watched it (except the performance on the Oliviers) I wasn’t disappointed, and I don’t feel that they ruined the film, but honoured it in a respectful and great way,

I was very lucky to have won tickets prior to the end of the Original London Cast as in a weeks time many of the cast will be saying goodbye to the the high heeled boots, I was also very lucky to have the full cast performing tonight too:

Charlie Price – Killian Donnelly

Lola – Matt Henry

Lauren – Amy Lennox

Nicola – Amy Ross

Don – Jaime Baughan

Simon Senior – Robert Grose

George – Michael Hobbs

Pat – Chloe Hart

Harry – Paul Ayres

Trish – Gillian Hardie

Richard Bailey – Michael Vinsen

Angels – Jeremy Batt, Arun Blair-Mangat, Marcus Collins, Luke Jackson, Adam Lake, Javier Santos, Philip Town

Who ever was casting director for this show has to give themselves a pat on the back, as they must have studied each character, and watched the film thoroughly because each performer was a reflection of the films actors and actresses.

As we had arrived quite late for the show I didn’t have time to scan the programme before the performance started so it wasn’t till the interval where I noted which actors and performers I have seen before, tonights would be Amy Ross who played Charlie’s girlfriend Nicola, I had previously seen her as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde when it was touring a few years back, tonights role was a complete contrast and it was great to see her play something different which showed her acting ability greatly. Anouther contender was Marcus Collins who was one of Lola’s Angels, very different from when I saw him play Seaweed in the Hairspray Tour (which you can read about here) and believe me the guy can dance, twerk and work it in any heel! I stopped both of them at the stage door for an autograph and had a brief small chat with Amy. Other than these two I had not seen any other performer.

First I have to mention Jaime Baughan who had to follow comic actor Nick Frost in the role of Donn, which he did brilliantly. and had the audience chuckling throughout, but also you warmed to his character, and it is him that has the biggest change in the whole film to learn to accept people for who they are. You just want to cuddle him at times, even if at some points he was a bully. He was very friendly at the stage door and managed to fit in a quick signature before he left. Along with Jaime the other factory workers in the show worked very well together, and you could tell that they were enjoying themselves up on the stage.

I have to also mention the supporting group Angels, Wow, just wow! If I could have the legs of some of those ladies I would be a very happy lady, each of them were gorgeous and excellent as the sassy ladies, there dancing skills out did so many west end performers (especially in those heels!) and its quite disappointing that they can go missed at the stage door, with out there amazing make up and outfits, as I would have loved to have a chat and photo with some of them, and also get some fashion tips!

Now onto the leading three who defiantly were a mirror of the films characters, Amy Lennox as Lauren a northern girl with a lot of spunk so to speak, she holds her own but is a strong willed lady who still has a caring heart to help. Her flirting skills also were very entertaining from the moment she realises she likes Charlie, and ‘History of Wrong Guys’ number was just great! it was nice to see a different take on a leading ladies song in a musical be so different from that of other shows, and honest in some ways too. I managed to get a quick picture with Amy, and signature, she also likes my weird ‘hi’ (which I hid was an impression of Kermit the frog…don’t ask!). Charlie Price was played by Killian Donnelly a very well known West End star, he was the lead Huey in Memphis prior to joining Kinky Boots which i had missed (as i wanted to see Jon in the role instead) so I was excited to finally see him perform, and I can understand why the public love him, he completely transforms into his characters, as watching him as Charlie he was literally exactly portraying the same person as Joel Edgerton did in the film, a vulnerable young man who has led his life being told what to do, but take that away and you will see that this man has great idea’s and the strength to succeed but also care for those around him and help those in need. I loved watching him, and I cant deny his voice is great to listen to. Charlie is a complete contrast to Huey’s role and its great to see that he can adapt so to make each character he performs is unique. Killian sadly didn’t stop at the stage door as it seemed he had friends in the audience and swiftly passed us at the stage door to go with them. I was a tad disappointed if I’m honest but understand that sometimes the actors don’t want to stop and have lives outside the theatre (something others are not understanding recently in the West End)

Matt Henry the title character of the show Lola, again I couldn’t flaunt him at all (except maybe the one line that I guess only Chiwetel can do), he made Lola his own, and transformed himself into the character, and looked great if I can say so myself. His take on Lola was perfect, and had a strong presence throughout the show and you watched as he grew stronger with each scene, the emotions he went through to just be who he wants to be and finally gaining the acceptance he always wanted. Matt completely deserved the Best Actor Olivier Award  (which i promptly mentioned when i met him at the stage door) and I’m so glad i saw him as Lola, but also wouldn’t mind seeing some of the other Angels portrayal of Lola too just to compare.

After such a rubbish day I can thank Kinky Boots for turning it round, and put a huge smile on my face, thank you TodayTix (for information about the App click Here) for making me your competition winner for the night, and i highly recommend anyone entering if they know they have a spare evening free to get to London in time, I know that this wont be my only time i will enter as it is such a great deal, just hope i win again cause i would love to take my sister next time as she too is a big fan of the film. I know the Cast change is set to be done on the 15th August, making the final performance of the Original Cast set to be on the 13th August, and i wish them al the best, as well as a go get them for the new cast, I hope it won’t be too long until I’m back in Northampton to see a new take on the show, along with Matt Henry who is continuing his role as Lola.

So go and buy tickets you do not want to miss this show! Kinky Boots you have been Kinky!

for Further show information and tickets the show check out the shows website Here.