Northampton's very own musical Kinky Boots to be screened across county

Kinky Boots The Musical is strutting onto the big screen from 4 February 2020
The full Kinky Boots cast. Photo taken by Matt Crokett.The full Kinky Boots cast. Photo taken by Matt Crokett.
The full Kinky Boots cast. Photo taken by Matt Crokett.

Olivier award-winning musical, Kinky Boots, is being shown at cinemas across the county on 4 and 9 February, with songs from pop icon Cyndi Lauper.

The stage production was filmed live for the cinema screen at the Adelphi Theatre, London in November 2018 by BroadwayHD, the US-based streaming service for live theatre.

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Of course, we all know the original story. Steve Pateman, owner of the Earls Barton-based shoemaking firm W.J Brooks, was on the brink of closing his factory in the 1990s as demand for traditional, high-quality, men’s leather men’s brogues had slumped.

Salvation came when a store selling footwear for cross-dressers and drag queens contacted him, asking if he could make high-heeled boots in male sizes.

This change in fortune inspired the 2005 Kinky Boots film, which features the historic Tricker’s shoe factory in St Michael’s Road, as its main location and includes many scenes in and around Northampton.

In 2012, the Kinky Boots story was transformed into a hit musical on Broadway and the West End, which tells the story of two people with nothing in common – or so they think.

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Charlie (Killian Donnelly) is a factory owner struggling to save his family business, and Lola (Matt Henry) is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea.

The original Kinky Boots boss, Steve Pateman, pictured wearing his own creations at the Kinky Boots showing at Becket's Park last year. Picture taken by Kirsty Edmonds.The original Kinky Boots boss, Steve Pateman, pictured wearing his own creations at the Kinky Boots showing at Becket's Park last year. Picture taken by Kirsty Edmonds.
The original Kinky Boots boss, Steve Pateman, pictured wearing his own creations at the Kinky Boots showing at Becket's Park last year. Picture taken by Kirsty Edmonds.

With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen.

But in the end, their biggest achievement is their friendship. This unmissable musical theatre event celebrates a joyous story of British grit transforming into a high-heeled hit as it takes you from the factory floor of Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

Screenings are taking place at Northampton Filmhouse, Vue Northampton, Cineworld Northampton, Cineworld Rushden Lakes, Castle Theatre Wellingborough and Odeon Kettering.

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