Preview of Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre

This week we were invited to an exclusive dress rehearsal of the West End transfer of Kinky Boots, the 2013 Tony Award-winning musical which opens at the Adelphi Theatre on 15 September 2015, following previews from 21 August.

The show, which features a book by Harvey Fierstein and Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, is based on the British film of the same name and follows a young man's attempt to save his family shoe factory by investing in a niche market - shoes for Drag Artists. With the help of the flamboyant Lola, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and manage to save both the factory and each other.

Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell welcomed us to the theatre and explained that the show was currently in the middle of an intense technical rehearsal. After weeks of rehearsing in the studio, the cast and crew have moved into the theatre to rehearse with full costume, make up, wigs, set and props - ironing out all the 'kinks' before the first paying audiences arrive this Friday.

Whilst the production is a replica of the successful Broadway production, hours are spent by the creative team to ensure every aspect works in harmony to give audiences the best experience possible. Rehearsing on stage, we caught a sneaky peak of Act One, including the production number "The Sex is in the Heel" where Lola arrives at the Price and Son Shoe Factory to explain how a new product could help turn them around.

Mitchell commented that the cast have been a "joy" to work with, and the uniquely British story has been reinvented by native actors for the London premiere. Awaiting the arrival of the orchestra later this week, the final part of the jigsaw will be complete, and Mitchell said the cast are more than ready for an audience to embrace the show, laughing, cheering and clapping along to the Tony Award-winning score and spectacular performances.

Kinky Boots originally opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway on 4 April 2013, and continues to play to packed houses. The show was nominated for a record breaking 13 Tony Awards, taking home 6 including Best New Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor (Billy Porter), Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Choreography and Best Score, making Cyndi Lauper the first sole female winner in the category.

In London the production is led by West End favourite Killian Donnelly as 'Charlie Price', Matt Henry as 'Lola' and Amy Lennox as 'Lauren'. The role of Lola is particularly challenging due to the powerful musical numbers, dancing and fierce costumes, which obviously include a lot of heels. Tony Award-winner Billy Porter received exceptional notices for creating the role on stage, so the pressure is on to see if 'The Voice' singer Henry is up to the task.

From the numbers we saw it's obvious that the show has an infectious charm that is set to delight audiences young and old. The story includes themes of acceptance, tolerance and being who you are, rolled into an uplifting musical that will certainly have you clapping and cheering along.

For more information about the show, read our interview with the director and choreographer of Kinky Boots Jerry Mitchell here!