Kinky Boots, Carlton Operatic Society Review

Reviewer - Eliott

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Mark Coffey-Bainbridge is the epitome of a professional in Carlton Operatic Society's production of Kinky Boots, currently playing for a limited time at Theatre Royal Nottingham. His presence, tone and stature carries this strong ensemble with ease, and you could almost be mistaken at times for this production being one that's been lifted from the West End and plunked into the Midlands. Alongside Coffey-Bainbridge, and in the role of Lola, is Steffi Moore. Played with enough energy to match the Angels in the production, who are divine and shine magnificently, Moore does a fine job, even in some of the more unflattering outfits which don’t do any justice to the character.

With a few scene changes beyond the walls of Prince and Son’s being a little too audible and distracting us away from the action in front of us put aside, this production truly relies on its ensemble casting, and a few notable mentions must be given to Laura Ellis’ Pat, Helen Tunnicliff as Daisy, Poppy Cook as Jeanie, Eva Sheppard as Kim, all of whom stood out in beaming with happiness on stage. Then there’s Charlie’s love interest in the show, Laura, with Cathy Hyde in the role; a senior comedic actress, you can’t help but root for the character even more with Hyde’s take on ‘The History of Wrong Guys’, where you simply cannot fault the audience’s enjoyment from Hyde’s expressions, with the number receiving one of the biggest applauses of the night.

Kinky Boots Carlton Operatic Society (2).jpg

Kinky Boots Carlton Operatic Society (1).jpg

Touching earlier on about Lola’s Angels, you can’t help but admire the sensational performers in the roles; David Page, Connor Gough, Louis Barnes-Cupit, Mannie Gregg, Sam Turpin, and Mason Hart put on a defiant display. They came with a mission to upstage everyone in their way, and do so exceedingly well, with even a little helping hand when needed with some prop disasters. You simply cannot take your eyes away from them when present, and when they reveal their top-tier outfits on the Milan stage at the climax of the production, I urge you to try not to gasp at the beauty in the costumes, and how these Angels rock their looks on stage.

As a first-time attendee to a Carlton Operatics Society performance, I personally would love to congratulate everyone involved in creating a piece of theatre on a stage that screams a polished production with a clear focus on bringing out the true talents from around the Nottingham-wide area; with Kipps - The New Half a Sixpence Musical already announced as their 2024 Spring Production, I hope to be able to make it back to Nottingham once again to see this company shine with layers of thoughtful consideration that give us, the audience, a night we’ll forever remember.