Reviewed by Amanda Browne
Milton Keynes Theatre is in a great location with ample parking surrounding it. We were spoilt for choice on this cold dark evening with choices of where to eat, arrive with plenty of time if you intend to enjoy one of the many nearby restaurants. I had long waited to see Kinky Boots The Musical and arrived full of anticipation. We were greeted in the foyer by the biggest most gorgeous pair of thigh high red boots you will ever see. Judging by the crowd, it was a sell out show.
Kinky Boots is the tale of a shoe factory set in Northampton, already on its uppers when the owner passes away and his son takes over things are tough. Charlie Price played by Joel Harper Jackson is the central character who takes up the family business and despite its future looking bleak, tries to make it work. He meets Lola, played magnificently by Kayi Ushe, Lola is different, and I guess from there the story unravels.
The show wonderfully portrays how to overcome prejudice, prejudice that is for no other reason than you are different and set your own style and standards. How just because you dress or look different you can still have feelings, standards, love and compassion.
Just because most of us conform, those that don’t choose a difficult path, which isn’t always an easy choice, we truly don’t understand how hard it must be to be true to yourself and live each day being what or who you want to be. I have to say, it looked like Lola was born to strut those heels from start to finish and I watched in jealous awe. The song in the second half, possibly hold me in your heart made the hair on my neck stick up, the lighting the outfit and that absolutely amazingly mesmerising voice, was just an honour to behold. Equally I am unsure Charlie was acting when he took unsteadily to his heels at the end, funny stuff!
The finale is simply quite breath-taking and the outfits of the Angels were bloody fantastic, the Boots, well wowza, some of the best boots I’ve ever seen, the closing few numbers were brilliant, everyone involved looked like they were having the best time. The colours and vibrancy of it all was fantastic. Although the show has a strong story it was uplifting and funny, the singing top class and the costumes possibly amongst the best I’ve seen this year. Not to spoil it but when pretty much the whole cast come out in high heeled thigh high boots you can’t help but grin from ear to ear. It’s an amazing feel good show, which everyone should see at least once. I wish I could strut my stuff as confidently as Lola, well-heeled my lovely, beautiful voice and the best legs in Milton Keynes by far this evening. Bravo to the whole cast, Catch the show if you can, don’t think you will be disappointed.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £25 (plus £3.65transaction fee).
Kinky Boots is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 28 October to 9 November 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes or call the box office on 0844 8717652.
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ
