Opening night at Stoke’s Regent Theatre brought a packed house to their feet for the touring production of Kinky Boots, and it’s easy to see why this musical continues to captivate audiences across the country. Based on the true story of Charlie Price and his family’s struggling shoe factory in Northampton, this production delivers everything you could want from a night at the theatre: infectious energy, powerful vocals, and a message that resonates long after the final curtain call.
The story centres on Charlie Price, portrayed with genuine warmth and vulnerability by Dan Partridge, whose extensive credits in theatre, film, and television—most notably as Dr Jez Gordon in Doctors—serve him well in this demanding role. When we first meet Charlie, he’s a young man torn between duty and desire, caught between his father’s expectations that he’ll join the family shoe business and his own plans to start a new life in London with his fiancée Nicola, played by Joanna O’Hare. Partridge captures this internal conflict beautifully, making Charlie’s journey from reluctant heir to passionate entrepreneur both believable and deeply moving.
When tragedy strikes, and Charlie’s father passes away, the young man finds himself unexpectedly at the helm of Price’s Shoe Factory, a traditional Northampton institution that’s rapidly becoming obsolete in the modern marketplace. The factory is haemorrhaging money, and the workers—many of whom have been there for decades—face an uncertain future. It’s a setup that could easily become maudlin, but the show handles it with just the right balance of humour and pathos.
Enter Lola, brought to stunning life by the remarkable Tosh Wanogho-Maud, whose performance is nothing short of spectacular. This versatile actor, with an impressive array of theatre and television credits to his name, commands the stage with a perfect blend of power, vulnerability, and charisma. Wanogho-Maud’s Lola is fierce yet tender, confident yet searching, and his ability to shift seamlessly between comedy and pathos makes every moment he’s on stage utterly compelling. The chemistry between Charlie and Lola drives the entire production, and their relationship—built on mutual respect, understanding, and genuine friendship—forms the emotional core of the show. The decision to pivot the factory toward producing kinky boots for the drag community is both commercially shrewd and symbolically powerful, representing acceptance, innovation, and the courage to be authentically yourself.
The musical numbers are spectacular, featuring the Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper that seamlessly blends pop sensibility with theatrical grandeur. From the rousing ensemble pieces celebrating the factory floor to the more intimate ballads exploring identity and belonging, the music propels the narrative forward while giving the cast opportunities to showcase their considerable vocal talents. The choreography is equally impressive, particularly in the drag show sequences where the precision and pizzazz of the dance routines bring the house down.
What elevates Kinky Boots beyond mere entertainment is its message of acceptance and authenticity. In an era where discussions about identity and belonging remain contentious, the show offers a refreshingly straightforward philosophy: be yourself, accept others, and recognize that our differences make us stronger, not weaker. It’s a message delivered without preaching, woven naturally into a story about economic survival, creative reinvention, and the bonds that form between unlikely allies.
The production values are outstanding, with glittering costumes that dazzle under the stage lights and set pieces that efficiently transport us from the factory floor to the fashion runway to the vibrant world of London’s drag scene. The technical elements never overwhelm the story but instead enhance it, creating a visual feast that complements the narrative.
O’Hare’s Nicola provides an interesting counterpoint to the show’s central message, representing the conventional world that Charlie is trying to escape. Her portrayal adds complexity to what could have been a one-dimensional character, and her eventual exit from Charlie’s life feels like a necessary shedding of old expectations rather than simple romantic disappointment.
However, it’s Courtney Bowman as Lauren, Charlie’s office manager, who provides much of the show’s heart and humour. Bowman is an absolute delight, delivering a performance that’s witty, quick, and genuinely funny while never losing sight of Lauren’s deeper feelings for Charlie. Her character becomes instrumental in helping Charlie save the factory, offering practical solutions and unwavering support even as she navigates her own unrequited love for her boss. Bowman’s comedic timing is impeccable, and she has a gift for delivering punchlines that land perfectly while keeping Charlie firmly on the right path. Lauren’s journey from efficient office manager to Charlie’s most trusted confidante adds another layer to the show’s exploration of different kinds of love and loyalty.
The ensemble cast deserves special mention for their energy and commitment. The factory workers feel like real people with real stakes in the business’s survival, and their initial scepticism about the new direction gradually transforms into genuine pride in their craft. This evolution feels earned rather than rushed, giving weight to the show’s themes of transformation and acceptance.
As the packed opening night audience rose to their feet in enthusiastic applause, it was clear that Kinky Boots had achieved exactly what it set out to do: entertain, inspire, and remind us all that there’s nothing quite like the power of acceptance, creativity, and a fabulous pair of boots. This touring production brings all the heart and spectacle you could hope for, making it an essential night out at the theatre.
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