Review: Kinky Boots at Palace Theatre is ‘a heartwarming tale of acceptance and resilience’

When Harvey Fierstein, Cyndi Lauper and Jerry Mitchell teamed up to adapt a little British film into a full blown Broadway musical, you could be forgiven for expecting it to lose its heart and forgive the cliché, its soul.

I half expected it to be completely overhauled and end up with more syrup and sugar, than it needed.

I was lucky enough to see it in America, and on came Billy Porter pre-Pose and he absolutely slayed it, and Lauper’s superb songs stuck to the film’s vision, values and true colours.

Kinky Boots at Palace Theatre

In fact the musical elevated the themes of inclusivity, without seeming like a tick box exercise. It was a story of human beings fighting to survive and the link between Charlie, the son of a shoe factory owner and Lola – a drag queen who fights every day of her life to be accepted were beautifully explored. They have far more in common than they imagined.

Since its West End debut, the show has toured and it also had a glorious small scale revival at the welcoming Storyhouse in Chester last year.

Now it’s back and there is one major addition which has been highly anticipated. One of Strictly Come Dancing’s most enigmatic professional dancers Johannes Radebe plays Lola. If you have read about Radebe’s childhood, experiences of homophobia and his escape to the dancefloor from the age of seven, this role makes complete sense.

Dan Partridge as Charlie

He is joined by the excellent Dan Partridge as Charlie; a man torn between discovering what he wants for the future , or continuing his father’s legacy. Beneath the big full scale musical numbers and story of Lola’s Kinky Boots and how they could save a local business is tale about father’s and sons, masculinity, gender, and diversifying a business bringing a small local community along for the ride.

These two characters are both a little lost and haunted by their father’s versions of who they were expected to be. One is struggling to keep their business afloat, and the other is struggling to stand up in boots designed for women. And you can guess what happens next.

But the really joyful moments come from watching them get from A to B and realising that there is no business like shoe business.

Courtney Bowman is ‘a real delight’ as Lauren

Courtney Bowman is a real delight as Lauren, who discovers that she is in love with Charlie. In true rom com style, he is oblivious. So watching her navigate these feelings in the quirky and incredibly funny History of Wrong Guys is a real highlight of the show.

Robert Jones’ set is not quite at the same level as previous productions. Ditching a conveyor belt means some of the big group numbers lose their motion and movement, and don’t quite have the desired impact, even though the cast give them some welly.

Scott Paige is one of those performers who revels in the comedy and he excels. He is gifted at physicality, and you cannot take your eyes off him, wondering what he is going to do next as George – a factory worker with the ideas and knowledge to get these boots off the ground, turning them into something Nancy Sinatra would happily sing about.

Joe Caffrey gives Don the right amount of bemusement and confusion, as he lives in a world that he does not quite understand, and once Lola arrives this is magnified. And Kathryn Barnes holds her own as Pat – during the fast paced number that is What a Man, dancing and singing with Johannes’s Lola.

Dan Partridge brings both vulnerability and boyish arrogance as Charlie, as he arrives to take over dad’s business, like a true nepo baby, much to the annoyance of the shop floor staff. Partridge cannot only belt out a tune, but he invests full on emotion and fragility into each of these stirring songs.

The incredible stage presence of Johannes Radebe

If you have seen Johannes Radebe on stage in his solo shows, you will know that he has tremendous stage presence. As soon as Lola steps onto the stage, you cannot take your eyes off her. Johannes brings hints of Krystle Carrington and Dominque Deveraux and the joy of performing is written all over his face, during the finale.

He delivers the one liners with aplomb, and when he dances he gives Leah Hill’s steps the respect they deserve, and then some. In some of the group songs he holds own. His ballad delivery lacks the power of Kinky Boots alumni such as Matt Henry and Billy Porter, and therefore the emotional highs and lows are not always evident. But his stage presence goes way beyond a well known face, stepping into a musical. He exudes passion and determination and you can see him exploring his own back story through Lola.

Lola’s girls do not seem to have the space to shine, slay and dominate quite like they have done before. But maybe the show needs to bed in a while longer, for this to take place and they can begin to step forward, as they are integral to this story, as their defiance is life affirming.

The show comes alive during many of the group numbers, and this is a cast who bring life to the party, right when it is needed.

Nikolai Foster’s production is fast paced, funny and incredibly heartwarming to boot.

Tickets for Kinky Boots at Palace Theatre

Kinky Boots is at the Palace Theatre until 8th February and can be booked here