A guide to all the songs from 'Kinky Boots'

The footwear-themed underdog musical includes the hits "The Most Beautiful Thing in the World", "Land of Lola", and "Hold Me in Your Heart".

Summary

• Kinky Boots is an uplifting musical about a struggling shoe factory
• Pop star Cyndi Lauper won the Tony for Best Score
• The score features disco and pop influences
• The show returns to London in March starring Johannes Radebe

Inspired by a 1999 documentary film about a struggling Northampton shoe factory that pivoted into manufacturing shoes for drag performers, the 2005 film Kinky Boots became a Broadway musical of the same name in 2013 and opened in the West End in 2015. It quickly became a fan favourite with its themes of identity, father-son relationships, and community – as well as its outstanding score.

It’s a quintessentially British underdog tale, yet the disco and power ballad-influenced music and lyrics by American pop star Cyndi Lauper work perfectly for the story and the setting. The show received the Tony for Best Musical and Lauper won Best Original Score, and it went on to win the Olivier for Best New Musical.

Kinky Boots returns to the West End this spring in a new production by Nikolai Foster, starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe as Lola. Read our guide to the show’s uplifting songs, and perhaps don your own pair of fancy footwear of choice!

Book Kinky Boots tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

“Price and Son Theme" / "The Most Beautiful Thing in the World”

Growing up in Northampton as the fourth generation heir of Price and Son shoemakers, young Charlie Price is raised by his dad to revere the family business – there’s no question that he won’t eventually take it over, even though he isn’t sure he wants it. Meanwhile, another young boy, Simon, desires a pair of red high-heeled women’s shoes and is harshly reprimanded by his father. The years pass, and Charlie heads to London with his girlfriend Nicola for a new life.

“Take What You Got”

Shortly after his move to London, Charlie’s father dies and he returns to Northampton for the funeral. He finds the company nearly bankrupt – the shoes Price and Son produces are of high quality, but they aren’t fashionable and they’re expensive. Back in London, his friend Harry advises him to cut his losses and move on.

“Land of Lola”

Leaving the pub, Charlie intervenes when he sees a woman being harassed by two drunks and is knocked unconscious. He wakes up in a nightclub where he learns that the woman he attempted to help is in fact the club’s star drag queen, Lola. The uninhibited Lola is unlike anyone Charlie has met before. She’s “Got Ginger Rogers' savoir faire / With the moves of Fred Astaire / I'm Black Jesus, I'm Black Mary / But this Mary's legs are hairy”. Charlie observes that that the red high-heeled boots worn by Lola and her “Angels” aren’t designed to accommodate a man’s foot size or weight.

“Charlie’s Soliloquy”

Charlie returns home. This is the world that he knows, but he’s filled with doubts. He gives notice to production line worker Lauren, who angrily informs him that other struggling factories have shown initiative by diversifying into niche markets. He remembers his conversation with Lola about the lack of suitable footwear for drag artists.

“Step One”

Charlie is filled with inspiration: I used to be a zero but now I clearly feel that / I may be the hero who reinvents the heel”. There’s a lot to consider, but this is a clear step in the right direction.

“Sex is in the Heel”

Lola and the Angels arrive at the factory and have feedback regarding Charlie’s initial design. The heel isn’t nearly high enough, and that’s the key to the shoe’s sex appeal. Charlie doubts that stiletto heels could support a man’s weight but George, a factory designer, explains how the idea could be made viable. Charlie invites Lola to stay until the new range is launched at a footwear show in Milan. Lola agrees, despite the aggressive behaviour of foreman Don and his cronies.

“The History of Wrong Guys”

Charlie asks Lauren to help him with the Milan show, and she realises that she is developing feelings for him. He has a girlfriend, and she’s been hurt before.

“Not My Father’s Son”

Lola arrives at work dressed as a man and is mocked by Don. He and Charlie share confidences about both having complicated relationships with their fathers. Lola’s father trained him as a boxer so that he would gain physical strength and toughness, and therefore fit in. Instead, he went to the opposite extreme as “the world seems brighter six inches off the ground”. Lola tells Charlie that his birth name is Simon.

“Charlie’s Soliloquy” (Two)

Charlie learns from Nicola and her associate Richard that shortly before his death, his father agreed to sell the factory to be converted into flats, as there was no one to take it over. He vows to seize his destiny and keep the factory going.

“Everybody Say Yeah”

The first pair of “kinky boots” have been manufactured and the “kinky revolution” is underway! The factory workers are full of pride and Charlie and Lola lead the celebrations. End of Act I.

“What a Woman Wants”

Don and his mates continue to taunt Lola. The female factory workers inform them that Lola’s sensitivity, sense of style, and loyalty are far closer to what most women want in a partner than what Don offers. Lola presents Don with a wager: Lola will do anything Don proposes, and Don will do the same.

“In This Corner”

Don challenges Lola to a boxing match. Despite his skills and experience in the ring, Lola ultimately lets Don win so he isn’t humiliated in front of his colleagues. Don’s part of the challenge is to "accept someone for who they are."

“Charlie’s Soliloquy” (Three)

Everything is going wrong. Charlie is pouring his own money into the factory and is irritated with the staff for what he deems substandard work. Nicola ends their relationship. He learns that Lola has been making preparations for the Milan show without asking him, including arranging to have the Angels model the boots, instead of professional models. Charlie loses his temper at Lola in front of the other workers.

“Soul of a Man”

Charlie sinks into despair and, in this power ballad, he laments that he’ll never be never be “the soul of a man, noble and wise / Like the soul of a man who lifted me high”.

“Hold Me in Your Heart”

On the way to the airport, Charlie leaves a voicemail for Lola to apologise. Lola, meanwhile, has returned home to visit his dying father. Lola reflects, “You missed out on the best part of me / The part that made me who I am today / Oh, but the best part of me is standing in front of you and loves you anyway.”. Ultimately, catharsis and closure are achieved.

“Raise You Up” / “Just Be”

In Milan, Charlie prepares to walk the catwalk himself in the absence of professional models – then Lola and the Angels make a grand entrance. They consolidate their friendship. Charlie and Lauren also admit their feelings and kiss. The whole company (including Don) comes together to celebrate the success of the “kinky boots” and the camaraderie formed along the way.

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