Hull New Theatre – until 23 November 2019
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
5*****
The audience was instantly on its feet and cheering very loudly at the end of last night’s fabulous performance of Kinky Boots. I have seen it said recently that standing ovations are the norm now, please take note, the Hull New Theatre’s audiences only give a standing ovation when they have been well earned and this was certainly one of the best shows we have seen. Another important fact is that Hull New Theatre is the last stop for this UK tour of Kinky Boots, so you have only a few days to catch the show.
Kinky Boots is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell; book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. This is the story of Charlie Price who doesn’t want to go into the family shoe business Price and Son, but wants to escape “boring” Northampton. His Father’s sudden death means he returns to Northampton to find that the business is in trouble. A chance meeting with a drag queen, Lola, leads to a whole new venture for Price and Son and a lot of fun for the audience.
David Rockwell’s stage design is very clever and provides a wonderful backdrop for the action. The action starts in the factory, which is very drab, brown and really rather depressing, which makes for a wonderful contrast when the drag queens arrive on stage. The choreography is superb and I particularly loved the performance of Everyone Say Yeah and Raise You Up/Just Be at the finale. Greg Barnes’ costume designs for the drag queens are stunning. Cyndi Lauper’s music is refreshingly varied in genre from rock to ballad to the advertising jingles for the factory. Musical Director Richard Anderson had a wonderful orchestra, and what a surprise it was to me to suddenly hear the poignant notes of an oboe at one point.
Kayi Usher was a triumph as Lola, providing fun and sassiness but oh so much poignancy, he has a beautiful voice. His performance of Not My Father’s Son left me and I suspect much of the audience totally breathless, simply superb. His full on drag performances were a riot and so much fun, but I almost preferred the quieter moments. He has such a talent to be able to switch moods so effectively and believably.
Joel Harper-Jackson’s Charlie was played beautifully, whether he was feeling sorry for himself, ineffectually trying to sack his work force or struggling to come to terms with what life had thrown at him. His relationship with Lola was totally believable. I loved his rendition of Soul of a Man, another beautiful voice. As to the finale, I strongly suspect he enjoyed it as much as the audience!
Paula Lane was excellent as the slightly kooky Lauren and I loved The History of Wrong Guys, a cracking song, wonderfully performed.
Lola’s angels, Connor Collins, Daniel Downing, Damon Gould, Joshua Lovell, Chileshé Mondelle and Toyan Thomas-Browne rocked the stage. What beautiful drag queens, elegant but feisty and their dance routines were jaw dropping at times.
Kinky Boots is very much the sum of all its parts, Kayi Ushe shines throughout as Lola, but this is only possible with the support of a superb cast, cracking music, wonderful choreography, fab costumes, great scenery and an engaging story. The action zips along at a pace and the audience was rapt, totally engaged in what was going on on the stage. Sadly it was over far too soon.
Just being yourself is one of the main themes of Kinky Boots, but I rather wonder if there is not more of a message for parents about letting their children be themselves…
Finally I really must mention those boots. Ooh those boots, I can’t have been the only woman in the audience wanting to take a pair home!
You will bounce your way out of the theatre after a performance of Kinky Boots. Price and Son manufacture joy and exuberance, as well as boots!