By Lowri Simmons and Amy Corringham

Featured image: Phil Tragen

The sell-out phenomenon, Kinky Boots The Musical strutted into Manchester’s Palace Theatre this week for a four-day show, directed by Nikolai Foster. Based on a true story and featuring Tony and Grammy-winning pop star Cyndi Lauper, this show brings Harvey Fierstein’s book to life, the flamboyant outfits, dances, and performances exceeding all expectations.

Kinky Boots follows the true story of Charlie Price, a down-on-his luck cobbler trying to revive his family’s failing shoe factory. Price and his workforce face impending unemployment, that is until he meets Lola, a drag queen in search of some sturdy stilettos. With Lola’s help, Charlie creates a brand new line of shoes for drag queens, reviving his business and changing both of their lives forever.

Red, sexy, and spectacular boots dazzle the stage while dancers and drag queens strut through each song with eclectic performances. With breath-taking vocals and incredible dances, the audience is taken on a journey through the fear, upset, and strength of drag performance.

Johannes Radaebe, performing as Lola, spices up the stage with his fierce dancing skills and outstanding vocals in ‘Land of Lola’. From deep tones to high notes, Radaebe owns the stage in six-inch heels and the ensemble matches his vocals brilliantly. His Strictly Stardom success does nothing to prepare you for how he expertly transforms into Lola, his incredible personality shining through.

‘Price and Son Theme’ opens the show and sets the scene as young Charlie, (played by Joshua Beswick) takes to the stage to introduce the characters. The audience is immediately taken by Dan Partridge, older Charlie’s actor, as he flaunts his strong vocals with ‘Take What You Got.’

The contrast of glamorous drag queens and factory workers cleverly showcases the different attitudes throughout the show. ‘Sex is in The Heel’ explores both drag and the ordinary, with Lola representing drag alongside Charlie and the ensemble representing society. The struggle between identities is illustrated when the two worlds collide in this song, creating the perfect representation of social differences.

Courtney Bowman brings charisma and humour to her performance as Lauren, her cheeky personality enticing laughs and giggles from the audience as she expresses girly love fantasies. Bowman’s passion and strength is shown through her incredible vocals which stun the audience.

Act 1 reveals the blend of these opposite lives and the difficulties Charlie and Lola shared growing up. ‘Not My Father’s Son’ explores the characters’ hardships with Radaebe and Partridge performing with their whole hearts, sending emotions soaring through every member of the audience.

‘Everybody Say Yeah’ closes Act 1 and shows the growing empowerment of the performers as they come together as a team, leaping with confidence.

Act 2 opens in the Price & Son factory, where Don (Joe Caffrey) confronts Lola about her outfits, boldly claiming what counts as a real man. Lola fiercely bites back with her sassy flair as ‘What a Woman Wants’ is performed, and Don’s intentions are rendered to nothing more than masculine insecurity.

The stage is split as the cast belt ‘In This Corner’, showing a clear divide between allyship and hatred. In an attempt to settle who the real man is, Don challenges Lola to a boxing match. The performance sends a strong message and shows the impact that feeling rejected can have, Lola ultimately allowing Don to win and sparing him the disrespect he’d face if he were to lose a fight to a drag queen.

Buckling under the stress of his relationship breakdown, and his lack of funds for the Milan Fashion Show, Charlie breaks the hearts of the factory and audience alike as he tells Lola that they need to show the boots on ‘real’ women. Lola leaves and her absence is palpable.

The factory staff abandon the stage, leaving Partridge to deliver a powerful performance of ‘Soul of a Man’. A broken man mourning the loss of his newfound friend, his voice fills the theatre with passion and regret as smoke billows onto the stage, the audience watching on as he destroys the factory in a defeated rage.

Lauren lovingly reminds Charlie of his duty to uphold his Father’s legacy and Don displays his newfound acceptance of Charlie, inspired by Lola. A beautiful journey of acceptance, understanding and self-discovery is revealed to the audience, the power of community and solidarity palpable as the factory team works together to make the boots a reality.

Defeated still, Charlie faces the runway alone, wearing the boots himself. He makes a fool of himself on the catwalk, the empowering ‘Raise You Up’ blasting as Lola and her drag queens appear to strut the Milan runway in their very own sexy, red Kinky Boots. Suddenly, the stage is flooded with all the factory workers wearing matching boots.

As the final song ‘Just Be’ is performed, the audience rise to a standing ovation and The Palace Theatre is filled with pride and joy. A special appearance from Kinky Boots’ Music and Lyricist, Cyndi Lauper, left the audience stunned, as the American pop star took to the stage; standing side by side with the phenomenal cast, as she congratulated them on their performance.

Kinky Boots is a serious must-see musical. Full of liberation, inclusivity, empowerment and visibility, the entire cast, creative team and orchestra at The Palace Theatre come together to create a truly magical experience which will make you want to wear your own pair of Kinky Boots.

Kinky Boots runs at The Palace Theatre 4th February until 8th February, 2025. Book your tickets here.