Capetonians are renowned for their winter hibernation habits – we’re notorious for doing absolutely nothing but staying in under our fluffy blankets watching Netflix for hours on end when the weather is chilly – but a new show at the legendary Fugard Theatre will have you putting on your best clothes and heading out the house for an evening of glamour and delight.
Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots was first brought to life in 2005, when it was released as a film. Since then, it has been adapted into a play that has graced stages across the world. So far, the play has won six Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Choreography, as well as the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
The story follows Charlie Price, whose cushy London life is upended when he inherits his father’s shoe factory Price & Son, which is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Tasked with trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save the family business, Charlie finds unexpected inspiration in the form of Lola, a flamboyant entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work together to turn the factory around, the pair find that they have more in common than they ever imagined, discovering that changing your mind about someone can change your whole view on the world.
Playing the role of Charlie Price is Darren Craig (Grease the Musical, High School Musical: Spotlight South Africa), with Earl Gregory (Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) starring as glamourous drag queen Lola. Namisa Mdlalose (The Colour Purple, King Kong) is Lauren, Amy Campbell (Tiger Bay, SA’s Got Talent) is Charlie’s girlfriend Nicola and Nathan Ro (Lonehill Estate, Project Fame) plays Don.
The Fugard Theatre’s Kinky Boots is brought to the stage by the exact same team that staged productions like The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl and West Side Story at the Fugard in the past. Members of the outstanding team include Director Matthew Wild, Musical Director Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, and the celebrated choreographer, Louisa Talbot. The show’s Costume Designer is Birrie Le Roux, Paul Wills is Set Designer, Tim Mitchell the Lighting Designer, and Mark Malherbe the Sound Designer.
The show is filled with incredible dance sequences, vocals and acting from the entire cast, and will have you bobbing your head along to the catchy songs. At the same time, it deals with themes of loss and individualism, with strong characters – Lola stole my heart especially.
Kinky Boots is provocative, emotional and energetic, and is the best show I’ve been to all year!
Owing to its wild popularity, it has now been extended to October 27.
Picture: Supplied