D&S Productions presented Kinky Boots at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn. D&S Productions are an award-winning community theatre group based in Ellesmere Port/Chester who regularly perform at The Brindley Theatre. D&S is a company that took to the stage in 2021 and belong to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). D&S are passionate about creating quality theatre, they pride themselves on valuing people, they’re deliberately inclusive and are committed to raising money for good causes and charities close to their heart.
Director Donna Dale is no novice when it comes to theatre being both on stage as a performer and as a fabulous director – she has been involved in performances since the age of 3. Kinky Boots is no easy task to produce as it requires both precise direction and imagination to create such a flamboyant show, and the iconic songs such as ‘Land of Lola’, ‘Sex Is in the heel’, ‘Not My father’s Son’ and ‘What a Women Want’s’ are a cosmic task to pitch correctly.
Kinky Boots tells the tale of Charlie Price (Chris Doyle) the son of shoe factory owner Mr Price (Kriss James) who dies unexpectedly. This then leaves a discontented Charlie to run the factory that he really doesn’t want to do especially when he discovers that the business is failing.
Whilst in London with his fiancé Nicola (Jen Ellison) he stumbles across Lola (Jon Croft) a larger than life drag queen being harassed by two abusive men, Charlie tries to intervene but quickly finds out that Simon aka Lola can handle the situation themselves. This chance meeting leads to a fellowship to gap the hole in the commercial market for women’s boots to be made to withstand the weight of a man. With lots of twists and turns over the course of the story and some prejudice from some male factory workers especially by Don (Antony Holden) they prepare to produce kinky boots for the prestigious catwalk show in Milan.
Director Dale must have thought all her Christmas’s had come at once when Jon Croft auditioned for the part of Lola, it is Croft’s first performance for D&S, but I can imagine it isn’t his last! Croft brought Lola to life with his confident and vibrant rendition of the character, with his pitch perfect vocals he matched any profession performance I have ever seen in the West End and on Broadway.
Chris Doyle delivered a sterling performance as Charlie Price and worked superbly within the production displaying both his acting and impressive vocals throughout. The whole cast have clearly put a lot of work into the production, and all shone as individuals during the performance. The Angels were magnificent and captivated the audience during their every scene, they consisted of a remarkable mix of male and female actors who clearly work well together with their exceptional combination of female dancers and male drag queens. Special mention goes to Jessica Martin for displaying the most professional elegant dance moves I have seen for some time in an amateur production, and it was an honour to see the Angels strut their stuff and shine like the bright stars they are. Huge credit to Choreographer Gemma Walker and Charlotte Allmand Dance Captain for creating such a phenomenal display of movement and dance.
The entire production was of the highest standards for an amateur production which is colossal credit to the productive team for constructing such a magnificent delivery of this amazing heartfelt and uplifting musical.
I thoroughly enjoyed the show and singularly noteworthy was Gabrielle Stanfield who played Lauren, her delivery of the love-struck factory worker who is promoted to deputise was first class and would give any leading lady a run for their money in the professional world of theatre. Stanfield’s recital of ‘The History of Wrong Guys’ was sensational and left me wondering how this young lady isn’t on the professional circuit, she is certainly one to watch in the future.
Well done to the production team and all the cast for generating a glorious rendition of Kinky Boots.
An amateur production at a professional standard.
Playing until 7th October.
Reviewer: Katie Leicester
Reviewed: 6th October 2023
North West End UK Rating: