Clive Weatherley reviews Green Room's recent production of Kinky Boots at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar.

 

Whenever I see the Kinky Boots ident, I always recall queuing next to a very loud American in Times Square who clearly didn’t ‘get’ the logo and yelled ‘What the hell are inky boots?’.

He should have come to Green Room’s fabulous new production that showered us in kinkiness with a decidedly capital K.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Green Room's production of Kinky Boots in Potters Bar.Green Room's production of Kinky Boots in Potters Bar. (Image: Steve Fothergill)

It’s hard to believe that this show first burst into our lives 11 years ago, based on the non-musical British film of 2005 which, in turn, took its idea very loosely from a true story.

A young shoe factory heir, Charlie, struggles to continue his father’s success until he, literally, bumps into drag queen Lola and stumbles on an unconventional new direction for his business to take.

On its journey from factory production line to Milan catwalk, the show addresses homophobia, bigotry and diversity, and gives us a fantastic feel-good night out.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Green Room's production of Kinky Boots on stage in Potters Bar.Green Room's production of Kinky Boots on stage in Potters Bar. (Image: Steve Fothergill)

 

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In the two lead roles Ruaridh MacPhee, as Charlie, and Chris Lucas, as Lola, both gave sublime performances. Chalk and cheese as characters, each actor commanded the stage in his own way with their portrayals of each role hard to fault.

Charlie’s journey from quiet ingénu to champion of alternative culture was a gentle, thoughtful and totally believable one in Ruaridh’s hands.

And we totally bought into Lola’s ballsy take on life after learning how, as young Simon, he struggled to find himself. Chris managed to make our spirits soar and our hearts break in equal measure.

This polar but ultimately complementary pair crystallised the show’s message beautifully.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Green Room's production of Kinky Boots.Green Room's production of Kinky Boots. (Image: Steve Fothergill)

Never far from Lola were her team of Angels: four young drag queens who sported stunning new costumes for every entrance, some of which seemed sexily customised to the Coronation weekend.

Zachary Barber, David Barton, Matt Greenbank and Simon Knight certainly deserved the audience’s adoration for the sass and attitude they brought to every number, not to mention their dexterity on six-inch heels.

There’s a lot of humour in the show, and much came from love interest Lauren, played with warmth and honesty by sparky Lily Tello. A highlight was her song The History of Wrong Guys where she squeezed as many laughs from Cyndi Lauper’s lyrics as humanly possible.

All remaining cast - sorry I can’t name you all - gave fantastic support, as did the huge ensemble, who could quite easily have staffed a small business in Northants.

The remarkable set by Alastair Woodgate and Lucas Salinger certainly made them feel at home: as a factory it featured external walls with an imposing iron gate, functional conveyor-belt and well over 100 custom shoeboxes. And it transformed effortlessly into a pub, a boxing ring and a catwalk.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The boxing scene from Kinky Boots.The boxing scene from Kinky Boots. (Image: Steve Fothergill)

Director and choreographer Claire Andrews must be congratulated on a total triumph, proof of which were the standing ovations by the capacity audience, me included.

And I think I must have got something in my eye at least three times during Act Two as well…

Green Room are a massive (diamanté!) jewel in the local theatre scene’s crown, and Kinky Boots was another joyous talent-fest in their rich portfolio of shows.

 

                                                                                                                                

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