Kinky Boots (Studley Operatic Society)

Who would have thought that a musical of such engaging quality could be based on a shoe factory in Northampton, only in the minds of Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper could such a story and the associated music/lyrics become reality.

We should all be thankful for this as otherwise nobody would get to see the supreme quality on stage with Studley Operatic Society, led in quite exceptional style by two incomparable exponents of musical theatre, Paul Mitchell as Charlie Price and Mike Bentley as Lola/Simon. I fear it may be the one and only time we get to see these two perform together on stage with Mike set to leave the Midlands and it’s a crying shame, the few minutes of watching them interact whilst performing the number ‘Not My Father’s Son’ are beyond perfection and it will be a fond memory that I was there to witness it. I should also mention individual renditions of 'Land of Lola' (Mike) and 'The Soul of a Man' (Paul) are particular highlights.

Since I have mentioned the 'Land of Lola' number it feels only fair to lavish some literary praise on Lola's Angels in the form of Janet Fryer (Fifi), Steve Hyde (Foxy), Jacob Finch (Trixie), Ryan Allen-Rose (Coco), Grace Kennedy (Storm) and Rob Coleman (Bunny) without whom this production simply wouldn't have the 'sass' that it obviously needs.

There are many a hurdle for Charlie to overcome in order to turn a factory with a history for making men’s shoes into one that now produces thigh length boots for drag queens (or should I say, two and a half feet of irresistible tubular sex), not least of all his father’s legacy but, also a girlfriend called Nicola (played with finesse by Kirstie Boyden) and a 'wannabe' girlfriend in the form of Lauren, played with considerable Northamptonian charm by Kelly Mitchell (watch out for her performance of 'The History of Wrong Guys' it's a magnificent montage of comedy and pathos with a silky vocal.

Not everybody is as accommodating of Lola as perhaps they should be and Don (played by Matt Bridgewater) is the main protagonist in an intensely macho style but, even he comes round as the 'Kinky Boots' prove to save the factory. As for the ladies, in particular Pat (Sophie Hill) and Trish (Laura Woodall) they are obviously big fans of Lola if the number 'What a Woman Wants' is anything to go by and even foreman George (Keith Parish) is under that spell!

The ensemble cast add enthusiasm to this production, particularly obvious in the numbers 'Everybody Say Yeah' and the iconic 'Raise You Up' with a special mention for the youth element, on this occasion Louie Ware as Young Charlie and Alexander Parsons as Young Lola/Simon.

It is not often that my superlative thesaurus runs out of options but, there is something quite prodigious about this show which is much to the credit of Directors - Alison & Kevin Hirons, Musical Director - Edward Caine, Choreographer - Debbie Mitchell and everybody from Studley Operatic Society that I have not been able to mention.

So in the words of the song, before your glitter rusts let this company 'raise you up' which they will do to the utmost of their ability.

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