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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Musical Fable of Stourbridge

The name is Brannigan, Lieutenant Brannigan to you, 14th Precinct New York, I was on a stake-out at a place they call the Town Hall, I've heard of City Hall but, this was something different, joints within a joint, just a front for illegal activity in my book. Infiltrated myself into their seedy back room haunt, it was men only and obviously gambling makes you forgetful, if it wasn't their shoes, it was their shirt, one couldn't even remember my name but, that works in my favour while I am gathering evidence. What a bunch of low lives, hiding behind a Mission (I kept hearing 'Sally Army', I think the Brits have invaded but, its a bit early for The Beatles) fronted-up by 'The Sergeant' Sarah Brown, she's a looker with a voice that could shatter crystal but, I knew she had a weak point, trip to Havana, couple of Bacardi's and she forgets which side of the law she is on, some broads are an easy target. Then there's the old guy, Abernathy, always sin...
Read more

Sweet Charity (Queensbridge Musical Theatre Society)

Considering the major names like Cy Coleman, Bob Fosse and Neil Simon that are all connected to the various incarnations of the story of the 'girl who just wanted to be loved' its popularity for performance hasn't been widespread recently, perhaps due to the fact that the performances of Shirley MacLaine and Sammy Davis Jr in the 1969 Movie are so iconic but, Queensbridge MTS have decided to pick up the gauntlet and bring what is a very 60s vibe into the 2000s. What makes this production a hit from beginning is an effervescent performance by Sarah Odom as Charity Hope Valentine, giving Miss MacLaine a run for her money and with an engaging personality that just exudes 'likeable' and has the audience on her side from the first note played by Stephen Greenway's orchestra. Equally 'likeable' but, in a more reserved and endearing way is Sam Troke as Oscar Lindquist, he who coins the phrase 'Sweet Charity' and almost makes her dreams come true, on...
Read more

Cats (Vic's School of Musical Theatre)

Well I have seen a few musical productions in my time and have been inspired to write some elaborate and auspicious words by many but, I am a little concerned that I might not have all the right observations to do justice to what can only be described as a truly breathtaking production of 'Cats' by Vic's School of Musical Theatre (the Vic in question being Vicky Addis, somebody who whilst being blessed with some talented youngsters to theatrically mould, obviously knows how to turn potential into reality on stage). Just to fill the gap if you haven't had the 'Cats' experience yet, basically poems by T.S. Eliot set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theatre filler since the 1980s and will undoubtedly fill the Parish Rooms at Blakedown in this case, for its sadly all too short run. So, where do I start with a plethora of engaging and characterful performances, perhaps with the captivating portrayal of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser by Kate Downes and Molly Cooper, a...
Read more