Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre and the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch have announced the full cast and creative team for the first UK revival and regional premiere of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots this autumn.
Directed by Tim Jackson, the major new co-production is due to debut at the New Wolsey from 1-24 September 2022 before playing the Queen’s Theatre from 28 September until 22 October.
Jackson steps into the director role after previously working with both the New Wolsey and the Queen’s Theatre as choreographer of the theatre’s celebrated revival of Made in Dagenham. Jackson also worked with the New Wolsey Theatre as director and dramaturg of The Stage Debut Award-winning co-production (with Royal and Derngate) of The Season.
The cast will include Matt Corner (The Last Ship) as Charlie alongside Keanu Adolphus Johnson (Never Lost At Home) as Lola. They will be joined by onstage musical director Will Arundell (The Last Ship) taking on the roles of Harry and Bailey, Aruhan Galieva (Doctor Who) as Lauren, Josephine Lloyd-Welcome (Goldie’s Oldies) as Georgie, Roddy Lynch as Don, Tim Parker (Once) as Mr Price, Anna Soden (Five Children And It) as Nicola, Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn as Pat, with Jay Anderson, George Lynham, Cavan Malone and Hiromi Toyooka as the Angels. Casting for Young Lola and Young Charlie will be announced at a later date.
Jackson heads a creative team consisting of video designer Daniel Denton (Misty), sound designer Tony Gayle (Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical), choreographer Crystal Hantig, musical supervisor and arranger Charlie Ingles (Anyone Can Whistle ), lighting designer Jamie Platt (The Last Five Years), set and costume designer Amanda Stoodley (Bloody Elle) and assistant director Molly Wilsher.
Commenting on the production which will mark 10 years since the critic and crowd-pleasing musical took its first bow at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, Jackson said: “I am thrilled to be collaborating with this incredible bunch of super-humans, within the acting company and the creative team alike. The casting process has been a real joy – we’ve met such talented folk and roared with laughter every day.
“Person after person has shared in their connection to the show and its wonderful characters, and I am thrilled to have found an ensemble of exceptional performers who all lead with kindness and heart.
“Each actor is bringing something special and individual to our rehearsal room, and there is a powerful collective desire to make this new production a beautiful celebration of self-love, individuality and acceptance. With a cast of 13, we can revel in the intimacy of the 2005 film on which the musical is based, and allow our audiences to feel part of the factory community. And when we need to let rip, we’ve got a company that can bring a spectacular, explosive, contemporary energy.
“Audiences should expect stellar actor-musicianship, killer vocals and dazzling, high-octane (high-heeled!) dancing, all packaged within a funny, empowering, heart-warming story.”
Announcing the new production earlier this year, Mathew Russell, executive director of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the New Wolsey Theatre again, after a string of brilliant co-productions, including our acclaimed actor musician versions of Made in Dagenham and Once, which we were able to tour together too.
“We’re equally excited that QTH’s new creative associate, Tim Jackson, will be directing, and know that he and the team will do a great job of making a fresh, warm hearted, sassy and gloriously working class take on this hit show, which we’re sure audiences are going to adore.”
Douglas Rintoul, incoming chief executive of New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich said: “I can’t think of a better way to mark the start of my new role at the New Wolsey Theatre than with this very special regional premiere. Made by my favourite theatres, and directed by a supremely talented director, Kinky Boots is going to be a smart and gloriously uplifting night out.”
An instant favourite with theatregoers, the exuberant show based on the hit Miramax film (written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth and inspired by a true story) has a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), and songs by Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
The original production of Kinky Boots The Musical which was directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell arrived on Broadway in 2013 where it was nominated for a season record 13 Tony Awards, winning six including Best Musical. In the UK, the musical debuted in the West End in 2015 winning three Oliviers including Best New Musical.
Angela Thomas
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