Kinky Boots, the heartwarming British film about a Midlands shoe factory, proved a perfect fit on Broadway in 2013 when it was revamped as a stage musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles) and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. Now, 10 years after the film was released, the musical will open in the West End with a British cast.
The original Broadway production is still running at the Al Hirschfeld theatre, where it has clocked up more 700 performances. It won six gongs at the 2013 Tony awards, including best musical, best original score and best choreography for Jerry Mitchell (who also directed the show).
The musical retains the Northampton setting of the film, which was inspired by a true story. Kinky Boots follows a young man who takes over his father’s down-at-heel shoe business. He finds inspiration in the form of cabaret star Lola (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the film) who helps the company find its feet.
“Lola signs on as designer, and soon songs are sung, lessons learned, and thigh-high patent leather donned,” wrote Alexis Soloski who observed in her review: “For a musical with such racy themes, it would be difficult to picture a more conservative, family-friendly show.”
Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig said: “We are thrilled and deeply honoured to be bringing Kinky Boots back home to British shores.”
Previews start at the Adelphi theatre on 21 August . The musical opens on 15 September.
