For this Minema, we open the borders of arts a little and get two birds with one stone with a sort of Live Report. First, the movie, inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots became a musical on Broadway in 2012. Since 2015, this show has been in London. After a careful look at everything, we need to talk about it. SPOILER ALERT 3/5.
Firstly, what is it about? The pitch is easy but is a great idea for cinematographic and stage productions. This is the story of Charlie Price, next successor of a familial business specialised in men shoes. But being the next boss isn’t really in his plans.
Just arrived in London, Charlie learns about the death of his father: U-turn and back again to the factory which he finds in bankruptcy. Charlie finds himself surrounded by debts and sees no other solution than to commend many employees. One of them, thankfully, got an idea: they need to find a niche and make new products…
And because chance does things well, Charlie meets Lola, a talented and strong-minded Drag-Queen who will ask him to create boots. And this is how the Kinky Boots were born. I will not go further in the story, just know that it finishes in an apotheosis of boots each more splendid and improbable than the others.
In the movie, the music isn’t always there. We meet it only in Lola’s club and in the luxurious finale. Some ideas only start to emerge. However, in the musical, it’s completely different. All the songs are created by Cyndi Lauper for whom it was a first. Her pop-star and singer skills allowed her to create blazing and memorable melodies.
We’re never bored of Land of Lola, Step One, Sex Is In The Heel, In This Corner and of the spectacularly brilliant Raise You Up / Just Be which can give energy to any moment of any day. The stage design made for with each of these songs is to fall for, scenographically and choreographically.
A real success which isn’t just a simple Drag-Queens’ show. It’s a show with Drag-Queens that is speaking about openness, hope, will, dreams and that asks the question: ‘what’s being a man?’. Because it’s made with comedy, cheerfulness and great generosity we recommend all the three: the movie, the musical and the album of the musical cast.
Now Playing: Land Of Lola
https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Atrack%3A6zwCy9ZNn6cQNcOzP0aYkS