These Kinky Boots were made for walking—and that’s not all they’ll do! They’ll dance, they’ll entertain, and they’ll bring plenty of joy to an audience in chilly Manchester.
That’s right! The hugely popular Kinky Boots strutted into the Palace Theatre last night, and we were thoroughly entertained. This feel-good musical, packed with heart and high-energy performances, tells the story of Charlie Price, a shoemaker’s son who finds himself taking over his late father’s struggling business. To keep it afloat, he teams up with the fabulous and fierce drag queen Lola, reinventing the factory’s product line for a bold new market.
Heading up the cast, Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes dazzles as Lola, bringing charisma, sass, and powerhouse vocals, while Dan Partridge shines as the determined Charlie Price. Their onstage chemistry is electric, bouncing off each other with ease and authenticity. The rest of the cast more than pulls their weight, delivering strong performances, great vocals, and infectious energy that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
As Charlie and the factory workers open their minds to Lola’s world, we see a touching transformation—one that reminds us of the power of empathy, love, and embracing differences. This is especially true of Don as well who undergoes his own transformation from a rather gruff and dare i say homophobic factory worker who shows real growth in the show as well as the two leads. It’s an important reminder that just because someone starts off a bigot doesn’t mean they’ll always stay that way and education is fundamental.
With a stellar cast, show-stopping numbers, and plenty of heart, Kinky Boots proves once again why it’s such a beloved musical. The show is only in Manchester for 4 days so if you get the opportunity to grab any remaining tickets do it! This camp, kinky and fabulous show is definitely going to sell out and you really don’t want to miss it!
Dan Carter for Canal St Media