Theatre

Five things you (probably) didn’t know about Kinky Boots

It’s official, Kinky Boots is a certified West End hit.

The award-winning musical, with songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, has fast become one of our top recommendations on the West End.

To celebrate Kinky Boots winning Best Choreography, Best West End Show AND Best Actor (Matt Henry) at the What’s On Stage Awards 2016, we’ve got no booking fees on tickets from £25*. Plus, here’s five things you (probably) don’t know about the show..

1. It’s based on a true story. Okay, so you probably knew this but it’s sort of essential. Kinky Boots may almost seem too glitzy to be true, but the dazzling show is actually inspired by true events – which were also brought to life on the big screen in 2005. The whole thing took its lead from a BBC2 documentary that was aired in 1999, which followed Steve Pateman; the real life Charlie character who was struggling to save his family-run shoe factory.

2. The current West End cast includes TWO reality show stars. Matt Henry (The Voice) and Marcus Collins (The X Factor) wow in the production as Lola and Angel respectively. The talented duo have both received great reviews for their roles.

3. It originated on Broadway. Despite being set in not-so-sunny Northampton, Kinky Boots started its musical life on Broadway before coming across to the West End, opening the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 4 April 2013.

4. Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Billy Elliot, The Commitments AND Memphis all have the Killian Donnelly treatment before he took on the role of Charlie in Kinky Boots. Talented guy, much?

5. Director Jerry Mitchell is the man responsible for Hairspray among other hit shows on Broadway and West End. The American theatre director and choreographer is one of our absolute favourites and his ability to project such colour and characters as he does in Kinky Boots and Hairspray is something we’ll never tire of.

Kinky Boots is showing at the Adelphi Theatre until September 2016 – get no booking free for a limited time via Ticketmaster.co.uk.