Top London nightspot Mint Leaf rocked into the wee small hours last night as the venue played host to the new cast for Kinky Boots 1st Birthday. London’s tightest, brightest, kinkiest show celebrated the big day a whole week early, with champagne flowing and celebrity guests joining in with the sorts of shenanigans that would make a drag queen blush.
As 15 September (the shows official birthday) looms, we joined the new cast to see just why Kinky Boots has walked off with quite so many awards since strutting into the West End on six inch heels a year ago.
Lola (Matt Henry)
Matt Henry’s portrayal of the feisty but vulnerable Lola is truly epic. From the moment that Lola accidentally knocks out factory boy Charlie (who is trying to defend her from two thugs) we know this is a dame not to be messed with. Olivier Award-winner Matt Henry’s performance is as fearless as it is fabulous, switching as effortlessly between high camp and tragedy as between six inch heels and flats. It’s quite literally a knock out performance.
Charlie (David Hunter)
Killian Donnelly’s aren’t easy shoes to fill, but David Hunter slips effortlessly in to the role of Charlie Price, the man who has inherited a down-at-heel shoe factory in Northampton. Charlie certainly isn’t without his flaws, but Hunter brings a loveable puppy-dog charm to the character and even in his darker moments we never doubt his motives. As the distance grows between Charlie and fiancée Nicola, factory worker Lauren begins to see Charlie as far more than just a friend – but it’s the relationship between Charlie and Lola that really gives the show its heart and soul.
Harvey Fierstein (Book)
“Try as I may…I just can’t walk in flats!”
It could so easily be a line from Kinky Boots. It’s actually from Torch Song Trilogy – just one of the incredible works from gifted writer and performer, Harvey Fierstein. What Harvey doesn’t know about walking in other people’s shoes isn’t worth knowing. The book for Kinky Boots is sheer and utter joy and the one liners sparkle and fizz like fireworks…which is just what you’d expect from a man who also wrote the book for La Cage Aux Folles and has starred in films like Mrs Doubtfire, Bullets over Broadway and on stage in Hairspray.
Cyndi Lauper (Score)
Few artists have such a wide cultural influence as Cyndi Lauper. This Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning artist has also starred on Broadway, alongside Alan Cumming in Weill’s The Threepenny Opera and its her combined understanding of songwriting and theatre-craft that makes the score for Kinky Boots so suited to the stage. From funky disco numbers like Sex Is In The Heel, to the aching beauty of Hold Me In Your Heart, a number which allows Matt Henry to fully unleash his spine-tingling inner diva, Lauper’s music propels Kinky Boots from the stage into the stratosphere and deservedly won her a Tony for Best Original Score.
Cast Changes
Also joining the cast is the talented and instantly loveable Elena Skye as Lauren and the endearing Cordelia Farnworth as Charlie’s girlfriend Nicola – a part which could elicit boos if it weren’t played with such warmth and depth. Credit is due to excellent direction and the quality of the grade A* supporting cast that the London production of Kinky Boots still has such a huge and happy heart.
The party certainly allowed the stars to let down their hair, and others to take it off completely! We’d show you some of the other pics, but they’re a bit too racy…
The Verdict
Kinky Boots is a triumph. The costumes are dazzling. It filled us with joy. If you’re wondering who to take with you – to paraphrase Lola – we’d say it’s the perfect show for men, ladies…and those yet to make up their minds! You can buy tickets for Kinky Boots here. So why wait? Come join the party and unleash your inner Lola!
