Swanage Musical Theatre Group 
The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage 
John Sivewright 
27 March 2025
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Those famous words, attributed to Oscar Wilde, are a theme that runs through Kinky Boots, the 2012 musical based on the 2005 British movie from the pens of Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. The show follows Charlie Price and Lola/Simon, sons of a shoe manufacturer and boxer respectively, as they try to save Charlie’s family’s shoe factory from bankruptcy, with the novel idea of radically changing up the business model – making stilettos sturdy enough for drag queens!
Set primarily in the Price and Sons shoe factory in Northampton, like other contemporary musicals 9 To 5 and Made In Dagenham that are set in workplaces, the show did lack a little of the escapism that one might want at a night out in the theatre (if you work all day, it’s nice to be whisked away to somewhere more exotic at the theatre than an office or a factory!), but this was more than made up for by the contagious energy of the cast and the powerful human story on display. The show, with book by Harvey Fiernstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, struck the right balance between fun and poignancy as joyous production numbers are mixed with hard-hitting, thought-provoking dialogue. What it means to be a man is questioned throughout (making this a rather timely production, as young men today risk falling prey to toxic social media influencers) and both central characters’ rendition of ‘Not My Father’s Son’, exploring parental expectations, was the highlight of the evening.
While the cast were all clearly well drilled and working hard to bring the show from page to the stage, this was very much a two-man show, and Ben Dormer-Woolley (Charlie) and Freddie Lovell (Lola) delivered in spades. Ben really got under the skin of the reluctant shoe manufacturer, who returned from a life in London to take on his late father’s business, and coped especially well with displaying the stress his character was under as the show neared its climax. Freddie was simply outstanding as Lola, sparkling throughout and clearly revelling in the drag queen role, with excellent movement and finding just the right note of tenderness when Lola let her guard down. There was a strong rapport between both leading actors, and you could really feel their friendship develop as the show went on.
Strong support came from Verity Aldous as a quirky Lauren, Andrew Morley as grumpy and misogynistic Don and Philip Eades as broad-minded George, while Tim Marcus made a big impression in his cameo as Harry, and Oscar King and Megan Titley showed remarkable stage presence for ones so young as Young Charlie and Young Lola/Simon – they’re definitely ones to watch.
The set was excellent, with a raised section upstage, clever use of revolving flats at the side and mobile stage props to depict various locations, with slick and unobtrusive scene changes carried out by the hard-working stage crew. The lighting hit the spot, although it was a shame the microphone operation was erratic, as characters’ first lines were often lost on entrance as their mics were brought up too late – hopefully that will be smoothed out as the run of the show progresses. Costumes were lovingly crafted – especially all the boots (!) – and hair and makeup were especially effective; Lola and her six Angels all looked stunning!
Musical Director, Nick Stewart, who also conducted the band, did a fine job helping the cast get to grips with the score, while director, Karen Woolley, made good use of the stage space and helped her cast bring their characters to life and make the best of the richness of comedy and pathos the script provided. Choreography was disappointingly basic much of the time, except for when Lola and her Angels were putting on a show – but perhaps that was the point, to strike a contrast between the flamboyant drag queens and the run-of-the-mill Northampton shoemakers.
Swanage Musical Theatre Company can be very proud of their efforts; if you’re at a loose end tonight or tomorrow evening, you’d do well to put on your stilettos and enjoy a wonderful night out at the Mowlem.
