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Synopsis
Step into a world of sparkle, sass, and sensational heels with Kinky Boots – the heart-warming, high-energy musical that proves you can change the world when you change your mind. Based on a true story and featuring a Tony and Olivier Award-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots follows Charlie Price, a young man struggling to save his late father’s failing shoe factory. When he meets Lola – a dazzling drag performer with a need for sturdy stilettos – the two form an unlikely partnership. Together, they reinvent the business, embrace their differences, and discover that friendship and acceptance come in the most fabulous of forms. Brimming with catchy songs, fierce choreography, and a whole lot of heart, Kinky Boots is a joyous celebration of being true to yourself and lifting others up along the way. It’s a story about community, courage, and finding strength in the most unexpected places – all wrapped up in a glittering, feel-good production that will have you dancing in your seat. Expect sky-high heels, bold red thigh-length boots, and characters who leap off the stage with warmth and charisma. With humour, heart, and a message of inclusion that resonates across generations, Kinky Boots reminds us that sometimes the best way to fit in… is to stand out.
From its infectious opening number to its triumphant finale, Kinky Boots delivers laugh-out-loud moments, touching personal journeys, and show-stopping musical numbers that will have audiences clapping, cheering, and maybe even shedding a tear. The dynamic between Charlie and Lola is at the heart of the show – a touching and often hilarious portrait of two very different people learning to walk in each other’s shoes. Whether you’re here for the glamour, the uplifting story, or simply a great night out, Kinky Boots offers something for everyone. It’s a timely reminder that compassion, confidence, and a killer pair of heels can take you further than you ever imagined. So, pull on your boots, strut your stuff, and join us for an unforgettable night of fun, laughter, and inspiration. Kinky Boots is more than a musical – it’s a celebration of life, love, and the fierce joy of standing tall in your own shoes.
Review
Thalian Theatre Company Kinky Boots
Director – Mandy Sayers
Choreographer – Courtney Cole/Mandy Sayers/Tammy Wall
Musical Directors- Rachel Davies
Performed at Thalian Hall on Friday 13th June 2025
Kinky Boots is the up lifting, and emotional musical inspired Northamptonshire shoe factory.
The show was very well thought out, Mandy Sayers clearly knew what she wanted, and she wanted to keep the pace up and she did this, she used the whole stage to great effect.
Rachel Davies balanced the music perfectly. It was a relatively small band, but it made a big sound. Rachel herself playing multiple instruments.
The staging of the show was well thought out, it is a small stage, and not all the chorus were used in all the numbers, and some were used as a choir and then came on for different numbers. It was very clever, and I can say the stage never looked crowded
Charlie Price was played by Haydn Boxall. He sung everything well and he understood the emotional context of what he was saying. However, at times the words in his songs especially the soliloquies were lost because he moved around a lot, he needed to plant his feet more.
Lola/Simon was played by Sean Bailey, and he was outstanding. As Lola he was fearless but then when he was Simon without the heels and dresses, he was vulnerable and awkward he was uncomfortable being out of the dresses. “Not my Father’s son” is a very personal song and I felt it was beautiful and believed every word.
Jenny Lewin as Lauren had the song every woman loves to sing “The History of Wrong Guys”. It was amazing and sung incredibly well. I will never look at a desk leg in the same way again.
Nicola was played by Sophie Taylor. She was believable in the role and worked well with Haydn. She could have a been a little stronger at times, especially in the scene she was showing Charlie the plans for the housing development.
Pip Gray played Don, and he was excellent as the alpha male, I enjoyed the slightly more tender scene with Lola after the boxing bout, it showed Don has another dimension.
Darren Barsby played George, his accent was good, it was just a shame it was not consistent. Trish and Pat played by Ruth Johnson and Linda Dyball were both good, I enjoyed Pat’s moment where she walks out after Charlie tells her to unstitch a boot.
The Angels (Kali Burlington, Lewis Greenwood, Harry Dobbs and Alex Ryde) backed up Lola well. There were moments they looked incredibly comfortable and then there were times when potentially one or two of the four may not have felt as comfortable. However, it looked incredibly liberating. The choreography for the Angels worked for each of them it was well thought out.
There must be an appreciation that not all societies have a large budget. For Kinky Boots one important area are the costumes, the hiring of the boots was important, and they were magnificent. Dresses for Lola and the Angels did need to be more glamourous, but ultimately the budget dictates what can be used and I completely appreciate this. Lola’s wig needed to be clipped back or potentially a different wig needed to be used as unfortunately it did mask Sean’s face.
The set was great, such a good use of the stage, it is the first time I have seen the revolving flats used and it worked well! The cloth at the back was great, personally preferred it to projections, made it easier to use the stage and light the show.
Sometimes lights do what they are supposed to do, which is light the show. Then there are shows where the lights enhance a show and this is one. Andy Barker excelled himself, the lights followed the characters around the stage effortlessly, and then the blue light used in ‘Hold Me in Your Heart’ was just sensational so simple but it created an emotion before Lola started to sing! Congratulations Andy.
This was just a show that I left feeling happy and alive, I said on the night, this show should not have worked at the Thalian Theatre, but under such direction and creativity it did work, and it worked well! Well done to everyone involved.
Scott Welch
NODA East
Rep District 9
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.
| Charlie Price | Haydn Boxall |
| Lola / Simon | Sean Bailey |
| Lauren | Jenny Lewin |
| Nicola | Sophie Taylor |
| Don | Pip Gray |
| George | Darren Barsby |
| Pat | Ruth Johnson |
| Trish | Linda Dyball |
| Richard Bailey, | Harrison Huntley |
| Mr Price, | Ian McInally |
| Angels | Alex Ryde |
| Harry Dobbs | |
| Kali Burlington | |
| Lewis Greenwood | |
| Ensemble | Aiysha Mirza |
| Alison Downes | |
| Angela Monaghan | |
| Annette Leishman | |
| Bex White | |
| Chloe Deamer | |
| Claire Kula | |
| Colleen Town | |
| Courtney Cole | |
| Emma Gilby | |
| Hannah Robinson | |
| Jackie Radford | |
| Jess Woodland | |
| Laura Brendish | |
| Louise Bateman | |
| MJ Scott | |
| Vicki Shaw | |
| Zara Stuart |
| Director | Mandy Sayers |
| Musical Director | Rachel Davies |
| Choreography | Courtney Cole - Angels |
| Mandy Sayers -Ensemble | |
| Tammy Wall - Everybody Say Yeah, Raise You Up / Just Be | |
| Fight Co-ordinators | Darren Barsby |
| Emma Gilby | |
| Production Support | Tammy Wall |
| Costumes | Louise Bateman |
| MJ Scott | |
| Set Design and Build | Tim Spink |
| Martin Lester | |
| Lighting | Andy Barker |
| With thanks to Clifton Hoyle and Nick Mogg | |
| Sound | Will Mitchell |
| Stage Manager | Vinnie Clemmens |
| Back Stage | Martin Lester |
| Props | Vanessa Baker |
| Nick Baker | |
| Paula Pitts | |
| Programme | Martin Lester |
| Treasurer | Angela Monaghan |
| Multimedia | Adam Beckman |
| Keyboard 1 / MD | Rachel Davies |
| Keyboard 2 | Simon Gargrave |
| Guitar | Kester Tunstall |
| Bass Guitar | Gareth Covey Crump |
| Drums / Percussion | Les Arnold |
