I wasn't actually planning on posting another review of Kinky Boots The Musical as I only shared one in May this year but we saw it on our second night in London just before Christmas, and if anything, it was even better than the first time so it fully deserved it's own post. I'm so glad I discovered this show and that we got to see it one final time before it closes in a few weeks. I couldn't think of anything better for my final post of 2018!
Kinky Boots takes you from the factory floor to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father's expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the shoe factory's future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, played by Simon-Anthony Rhoden, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.
This might not be one of the obvious shows you think of when it comes to the West End but it's one I'm really glad we took a chance on earlier this year. When I first heard the soundtrack I couldn't stop listening to it for weeks and weeks and when we saw the show in May, it exceeded every expectation. We said when we left we'd go back and see it again one day but then just weeks later they announced it would be closing in January. As we knew we already had a trip to London planned for Hamilton, for our wedding anniversary, it was the perfect chance to see the show again for the final time. We got a really good deal on the tickets and ended up in the exact same seats as last time too!
Despite been blown away by the cast we previously saw, I was really keen to see the current Charlie understudy (Jordan Fox) who had his last scheduled dates whilst we were there. He has been hailed as the best understudy in London, but on the day he ended up being ill so unfortunately missed all of his last scheduled dates to play the role again, which is such a shame. I'd have loved to have seen him play the lead role but I feel so sad for him that he didn't get to take on the role again for the final time before the show ends. As he was ill, it meant we had the 2nd understudy for Charlie, Jonathan Carlton. These people get cast for a reason so I don't think you can ever be disappointed when you end up with someone else and now I'm so incredibly glad we got to see his take on Charlie. He was absolutely brilliant! He completely made the role his own and you would never have guessed he wasn't playing this role full time. I just felt like he got the character of Charlie, and it was so believable in those times where he's supposed to be nervous, or stressed, or just at a complete loss of what to do next. He had a beautiful singing voice, his version of Soul Of Man made me love that song even more and though he was perfect in the sadder parts of the show, he came to life in the more lively upbeat songs too. He clearly completely throws himself into each show he gets to do and you can tell, he was the best Charlie Price I've seen and I just wish there was more chances to go back and see him again. Now onto Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Lola who is just outstanding. He impressed me so much when we last saw him but this time, he was even better, and I didn't think that was possible. This role was made for him. He nails the comedy each time, he looks absolutely fabulous in each outfit and he has the ability to one minute be making you laugh and cheer, and the next want to sob. It was such a pleasure to see him as Lola again. Other cast highlights for me were Natalie McQueen as Lauren, Sean Needham as Don and Samson Wakayu as young Lola who was absolutely living his best life on that stage.
This might not be one of the obvious shows you think of when it comes to the West End but it's one I'm really glad we took a chance on earlier this year. When I first heard the soundtrack I couldn't stop listening to it for weeks and weeks and when we saw the show in May, it exceeded every expectation. We said when we left we'd go back and see it again one day but then just weeks later they announced it would be closing in January. As we knew we already had a trip to London planned for Hamilton, for our wedding anniversary, it was the perfect chance to see the show again for the final time. We got a really good deal on the tickets and ended up in the exact same seats as last time too!
Despite been blown away by the cast we previously saw, I was really keen to see the current Charlie understudy (Jordan Fox) who had his last scheduled dates whilst we were there. He has been hailed as the best understudy in London, but on the day he ended up being ill so unfortunately missed all of his last scheduled dates to play the role again, which is such a shame. I'd have loved to have seen him play the lead role but I feel so sad for him that he didn't get to take on the role again for the final time before the show ends. As he was ill, it meant we had the 2nd understudy for Charlie, Jonathan Carlton. These people get cast for a reason so I don't think you can ever be disappointed when you end up with someone else and now I'm so incredibly glad we got to see his take on Charlie. He was absolutely brilliant! He completely made the role his own and you would never have guessed he wasn't playing this role full time. I just felt like he got the character of Charlie, and it was so believable in those times where he's supposed to be nervous, or stressed, or just at a complete loss of what to do next. He had a beautiful singing voice, his version of Soul Of Man made me love that song even more and though he was perfect in the sadder parts of the show, he came to life in the more lively upbeat songs too. He clearly completely throws himself into each show he gets to do and you can tell, he was the best Charlie Price I've seen and I just wish there was more chances to go back and see him again. Now onto Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Lola who is just outstanding. He impressed me so much when we last saw him but this time, he was even better, and I didn't think that was possible. This role was made for him. He nails the comedy each time, he looks absolutely fabulous in each outfit and he has the ability to one minute be making you laugh and cheer, and the next want to sob. It was such a pleasure to see him as Lola again. Other cast highlights for me were Natalie McQueen as Lauren, Sean Needham as Don and Samson Wakayu as young Lola who was absolutely living his best life on that stage.
Kinky Boots is such a special show for so many reasons and I really am still so sad it's closing. It tells such an important message, something I think we all need right now and the West End is going to be a different place without it I think. It gets better each time and it's almost like a night out. It's just such a fun show, you feel like you're part of something and it's this one big happy family. You can't not leave happy, it just makes you smile so much.
Despite absolutely loving Hamilton the night before, Kinky Boots just sums up everything that musical theatre is for me and it made our trip to London. I'd see it over and over again if I could. I'm hopeful it will return one day but if you've been wanting to see this, now's the time! It's playing at the Adelphi Theatre until the 12th of January and it's currently touring too!
Have you seen Kinky Boots? Or let me know if you have any other recommendations!
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Despite absolutely loving Hamilton the night before, Kinky Boots just sums up everything that musical theatre is for me and it made our trip to London. I'd see it over and over again if I could. I'm hopeful it will return one day but if you've been wanting to see this, now's the time! It's playing at the Adelphi Theatre until the 12th of January and it's currently touring too!
Have you seen Kinky Boots? Or let me know if you have any other recommendations!
Follow Me - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Bloglovin!