2 min readFind out what Vicki from the Visit Bristol team thought of award-winning musical Kinky Boots, which is at Bristol Hipppodrome until 17 May.
My oh my, what a show...
Kinky Boots tells the rather simple story of Charlie, who inherits his dad's loss-making shoe factory and through a chance meeting with Lola, decides to take a new path to save the factory from closure - making boots for drag queens. These are not just any boots, they are “Two and a half feet of tubular sex”.
Image - Dan Partridge & Kara Lily Hayworth in Kinky Boots - credit Johan Persson
The show features an all-star theatre cast, including Dan Partridge (Charlie Price), Courtney Bowman (Lauren) and Scott Paige (George), but the star of the show is of course Johannes Radebe (Lola), who swaps the Stricly Come Dancing dancefloor for sky high heels on the stage.
Image - Dan Partridge & Johannes Radebe in Kinky Boots - credit Johan Persson
From the moment he takes to he stage, you realise that the sparkly, stunning Drag Queen Lola was a part he was simply made for. Johannes just commands attention with his good looks and of course his on point dance moves, however the biggest surprise was his voice.
In “I’m Not My Father’s Son”, dressed as Simon, and not Lola, his rendition of this song, where he pours his heart and soul out, Simon’s character seems very vulnerable. This, of course, is the complete opposite of his drag personality Lola.
Image - Johannes Radebe in Kinky Boots - credit Pamela Raith
The show is full of cheeky humour and light hearted, while telling a story that whoever you are and despite everyone’s differences, you can be going through the same things.
To see Charlie and Lola/Simon set aside their differences and acknowledge common ground is quite moving. At a current time when discussions about LGBTQ+ rights often feel heated and divisive, this show is refreshing to see people respecting one another for who they are.
Image - The cast of Kinky Boots - credit Johan Persson
The finale of Milan Fashion Week is a fun celebration of embracing our differences. The colour red sweeps the stage and the whole cast end up modelling the beautiful boots Lola designed.
Kinky Boots is guaranteed to 'RAISE YOU UP' and I left the theatre believing I could do/be anything I wanted.
Kinky Boots is at Bristol Hippodrome until 17 May 2025. Book your tickets here.
