The Lyric Musical Society put boots on the ground at His Majesty’s Theatre this week with the uplifting and feel-good Kinky Boots. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots follows the story of Charlie Price. Having inherited a failing shoe factory from his father, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with a drag queen named Lola, who inspires Charlie’s new “niche market”. Together they come up with a line of “kinky” boots in a bid to save the business. Despite the bumps on the road to Milan Fashion Week, the pair discover they are not so different after all.
Founded in 1952, The Lyric has always been a well-respected company, and just as long-standing as the ovation they received from the audience on their opening performance on Wednesday night. With impeccable staging and a pitch-perfect front line, this production has taken local theatre to an entirely new level.
Josh Milne gives a sensational performance as Charlie Price. With silky smooth vocals, Milne’s portrayal of Charlie is clear-cut and energetic with an awkward charm. Showcasing an incredible vocal talent, his rendition of ‘Soul of a Man’ is spectacular. Milne cruises through the production with ease and, rumour has it, a great pair of legs. Opposite Milne, with even better legs, is leading lady Lola played by Jordan Abberley-Nicoll. From his entrance, Abberley-Nicoll serves the audience with plenty of punch and bags of sass. Between the biting dialogue with Milne to the heart-wrenching delivery of ‘Not My Father’s Son’, Abberley-Nicoll shines through this production with tenacity.
Rhianne Armstrong delivers an outstanding performance as love-interest Lauren. With some hilarious moments peppered between her gorgeous vocals, Armstrong uses great physical comedy during her ‘History of Wrong Guys’, while working well with the rest of the cast in group scenes.
Our village bigot idiot Don is portrayed with superb stage presence and cracking comic timing by Gavin McKay. McKay does an exceptional job of balancing the audience’s impression of Don. From being disgusted by his prejudice to amused by his simplemindedness, we can’t help but hope for a progressive thought to enter his brain and for Don to eventually realise you change the world when you change your mind.
Laura Burnett plays Charlie’s (soon-to-be) ex-fiance Nicola with understandable frustration. Desperate to move onto the bigger and better things in London, Burnett’s physicality portrays Nicola’s headstrong and ambitious personality effectively, alongside slick vocals in the opening number.
Ryan Peacock, Cath Munro and Sarah Dawson as factory workers George, Pat and Trish provide some excellent support for the cast. Each of them holding excellent stage presence while still securing some marvellous moments onstage.
A special mention must be made for the queens of the night, Lola’s Angels. Played by Aidan Colquhoun, Callum Anderson, Jordan Lee, Mikey Stewart, Ross Roberston and Roy MacQueen, these queens know how to move. Paired with astonishing choreography and horrifyingly high heels, these Angels captivated and spellbound with every appearance they made onstage. Making it look a little too easy to cartwheel with no wig snatching in sight, it is evident this group has worked tirelessly to produce a class drag act.
The ensemble not only provides excellent support for their front line of characters, but the detailing on each character onstage is memorizing. Everyone has a role and a purpose, working seamlessly through skilled choreography and gorgeous blocking, you forget that this cast is 42 strong, until the sheer wall of harmonizing voices hits you during group numbers.
Gavin Davidson’s direction of this production is nothing but impressive. Using every inch of Scenic Projects stunning set design, providing a solid foundation for the production to flourish. Alongside Paul Reynolds’s bright, bold and brilliant lighting design, Davidson’s skill in creating such a striking production allows for his actors to truly shine in their roles. Choreography and movement design by Victoria Cowan is stand-out. The contrast between the high-energy routines of the angels and the rhythmic sequences of the factory workers demonstrates Cowan’s range of skill as a choreographer.
While Rhonda Scott has done a stellar job as musical director, with immense harmonies that allow the group numbers to explode onstage, to the collection of exquisite solos performed with precision. All of this fantastic noise is supported by Brian Gunnee’s dependable sound design.
The Lyric has showcased the raw talent of Aberdeen Theatre, rivalling productions on a professional level. The company has captured the true essence of Kinky Boots, with glitter, glam and a whole lot of sole. I implore anyone with an appreciation for live theatre to get tickets before they undoubtedly sell out, as this story of acceptance and love is not one to miss.
The Lyric Musical Society’s Kinky Boots is running at His Majesty’s Theatre, from the 28th-1st of July 2023.
Get your tickets here –
https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/kinky-boots/#book
Photography – Adele Keith
Theatre Scotland 
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