Dazzling, defiant and deeply moving, Kinky Boots strutted into the Grand Opera House Belfast with heels high and hearts higher – and it’s safe to say the audience left walking on air.
At the glittering centre of it all was Johannes Radebe in the role of Lola – a performance that didn’t just command the stage, but embraced it with fierce grace and unapologetic charisma. Known to many from Strictly Come Dancing, Radebe brought his trademark flair and fluidity to Lola, but what truly captivated was the depth of his acting. Lola wasn’t just a drag queen in thigh-high boots; she was flesh, spirit and soul, aching for acceptance in a world reluctant to grant it.
The story, based on the true tale that inspired the 2005 film and brought to life by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper’s high-octane score, is one of transformation – not just of shoes, but of people. Factory owner Charlie Price (played with warmth and quiet resilience) inherits his father’s failing shoe business, and an unlikely partnership with Lola catapults them into creating high-fashion footwear for a niche but vital clientele.
A real standout of the night was Courtney Bowman as Lauren, whose comic timing, natural charm and exceptional vocals made “The History of Wrong Guys” an absolute show-stealer. Her performance was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, grounding the show’s flamboyant moments with a refreshing burst of sincerity.
While the show is full of camp sparkle and toe-tapping numbers like “Sex Is in the Heel” and “Everybody Say Yeah”, it never sacrifices emotional depth for sequins. The relationship between Charlie and Lola is the beating heart of the production – and in this staging, it pulsed with sincerity and mutual vulnerability.
The ensemble was electric. The “Angels” – Lola’s troupe of drag performers – lit up the stage with athletic choreography and joyful abandon, while the factory floor workers provided both comic relief and a mirror to the play’s central message of overcoming prejudice.
Technically, the Grand Opera House rose to the challenge. The set shifted seamlessly between gritty Northampton and the glitzy world of Lola’s nightclub. Lighting was used cleverly to underline emotional beats – subdued blues for introspection, pulsating reds and golds for Lola’s empowering anthems.
A special mention must go to the show’s climax, “Raise You Up / Just Be”, which had the entire theatre on its feet – not because it asked them to, but because it earned it.
