Kinky Boots

★★★★☆     Uplifting

Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): 5-13 August 2022
Review by Torya Hughes

Bare Productions take to the stage at Paradise in Augustine’s this week until Saturday 13 with Kinky Boots, having impressively sold out the entire run by the start of July.

Featuring a 20 strong cast and a live band, the show is based on the 2005 film of the same name, which in turn was inspired by true events.

Mark Wilson (Charlie) in Kinky Boots. Pic Steve Reid

Factory worker Charlie Price inherits his father’s shoe manufacturing business, but not his enthusiasm for shoes. Giving up on his plan of moving to London with fiancée Nicola and starting a real estate business, he tries to think of a way to save the ailing factory from closure.

A chance meeting with drag queen Lola and her troupe of Angels results in a new direction for the business, as worker Lauren encourages Charlie to embrace a niche market and start manufacturing the titular kinky boots – stage-wear for drag queens. However, homophobic foreman Don and his friends make things difficult, and Charlie’s life begins to fall apart.

Mark Wilson stands out as a likeable Charlie, portraying his emotional turmoil with a powerful rendition of Soul of a Man. Frazer Beck has a shaky start as Lola, possibly due in part to first night sound issues, but grows in confidence throughout to deliver a strong performance of Hold Me in Your Heart.

Frazer Beckles (Lola) in Kinky Boots. Pic Steve Reid

Both songs tenderly explore parent and child relationships, with Charlie struggling to live up to his father’s legacy and Lola asking her father to love and accept her for who she is. This theme of acceptance runs throughout the show, as Lola challenges the factory workers to open their minds and subvert their expectations of what makes a man.

Rachael Anderson is funny and warm as Lauren, showing off a powerful voice. Russell Coid’s Don has just the right level of macho bravado, while Lea Niven-Smith is a determined Nicola. The rest of the cast clearly define their characters, with Shona Smith delivering long-time factory worker Trish’s one-liners with impeccable comic timing and Dominic Hoar as Charlie’s dad, Mr Price, singing the factory theme tune with amusing fervour.

Lola and four of The Angels – Liam Bradbury, Neil Robertson, Frazer Beckles, Andrew Gardiner and Rory McKeon. Pic Steve Reid

Director Dominic Lewis makes effective use of the relatively small stage, creating a boxing ring from three drag queens and a piece of tape, and suggesting different locations with minimal scenery. Felicity Halfpenny’s choreography is slickly executed, particularly by Lola’s Angels.

The enthusiasm shines throughout, especially in big group numbers such as Everybody Say Yeah. Finlay Turnbull leads the band through Cyndi Lauper’s catchy score, with a brassy sound which matches the sparkle on stage.

A few first-night technical issues and a some shaky Northern accents could not detract from the enjoyment of the show. Bare have done justice to this heartwarming tale of acceptance, resulting in an uplifting production that justifies its sell-out.

Running time: Two hours and 30 minutes (including one interval)
Paradise in Augustines (Sanctuary) 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL (Venue 152)
Fri 5 – Sat 13 August 2022
Daily: 19:25.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Nb: Sold Out. But a small number of ticket will be released daily, an hour before show time. Available at the venue box office.

Bare Productions contacts:
Facebook: @BareEdinburgh
Twitter: @BareProductions

Lola and factor workers: Ciara McBrien, Frazer Beckles, Mhairi Goodwin and behind Kenneith Young. Pic Steve Reid

ENDS

Tags: #EdFringe, Bare Productions, Dominic Hoar, Dominic Lewis, EdFringe 2022, Felicity Halfpenny, Finlay Turnbull, Frazer Beck, Kinky Boots, Lea Niven-Smith, Made In Edinburgh, Paradise in Augustines, Rachael Anderson, Russell Coid, Shona Smith, Torya Hughes