Summer ‘19 is set to be the hottest season yet with the scorching hit musical Kinky Boots, that has been igniting the stage at The Fugard Theatre situated in the Mother City.

Presented by Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre, the five-star South African premiere of this big hearted, Tony Award-winning musical has been extended a final time due to overwhelming demand and is now open for bookings, for performances up to 2 February 2020.

Purchase a ticket to any show in December and have the exclusive opportunity to access the Kinky Lounge experience upstairs in The Fugard Studio Theatre.  Revel in a range of delectable themed cocktails, selfie booths, chill-out areas and fabulous music. What better way to kick-start the holiday season in VVVIP fashion!  The Kinky Lounge will be open before and after the show.

There’s an extra special party planned for New Year’s Eve. Ring in the new decade in super-strutting style with the Kinky Boots team for an extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebration, including DJs and various party venues after the show. The performance on 31 December will start at the later time of 9h30pm and a ticket includes access to the performance, a welcome glass of bubbly, a glass of bubbly after the show and all the live entertainment on offer until the early hours of the morning. The Fugard Theatre’s range of home-made pizzas will be available for sale on the evening.

A Kinky Boots experience makes a unique, feel good festive season present, or an even be an innovative way to celebrate any corporate end-year function. With the addition of Sunday evening performances from 17 November, there’s an even greater selection of dates to choose from.

The production that is Kinky Boots, has a recommended age restriction of no under 10 year olds. It will remain to be kinky, at the Fugard Theatre, until 2 February 2020 on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a matinee performance on Saturdays and on Sundays at 3pm.  Additional performances on Sundays at 7pm will take place from 1 December to 5 January 2020.

Tickets starting from R250 can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com

Tickets to the performance on New Year’s Eve cost from R470 to R700.  A ticket includes access to the performance, a welcome glass of bubbly, a glass of bubbly after the show and all the live entertainment on offer until the early hours of the morning. The performance on 31 December starts at 9.30pm.

Access to The Kinky Lounge in the Studio Theatre is via two flights of stairs, if assistance is required kindly enquire at the box office.

Beat the rush and order your pre-show drinks online when purchasing tickets at www.thefugard.com

The post New Year’s Party, VVVIP Treatment in the Kinky Lounge appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Betty Bangles

Daaaahlings!

I took a trip down to Cape Town and with lots of thanks to The Fugard Theatre and Stage and Screen, I got to see Kinky Boots, and now I have something to say….

I first saw Kinky Boots two years ago on Broadway and fell in love with the show. So, when they announced that The Fugard will bring an original production of this show to South Africa, I threw glitter in the air and did a little celebratory dance of my own. But also, I was a little scared; Will they find the perfect Lola? Will the boots be fabulous? Will ‘Lauren’ be funny?

Well, in true Fugard style, they did NOT disappoint! This show is entertaining, and appropriate for all Walks and Feathers of life, but kiddies under 10 years old, may require some PG.  Before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you what Kinky Boots is about.

The story of Kinky Boots is based on true events, about two people who think they have nothing in common.  Factory owner, Charlie, struggles to save his family business, with Lola, an extraordinary entertainer having wildly exciting ideas of her own.  As the story unfolds, these two characters starts the journey to embrace their differences, to form their unique, and sensational friendship… and their own line of the infamous stilettos, unlike anything ever seen before.

Now back to me… or rather, my fears about this SA production. Like I said, The Fugard did not let me down. Lola is sensational, the boots are fierce, and ‘Lauren’ is a hoot.

Firstly, can I get an ‘Amen’ for Paul Wills’ set design. He used every square inch of a fairly small staging surface in such a way that it feels like you’re experience the Musical on a bigger scale stage. The lighting design by Tim Mitchel also deserves a special courtesy. A standout moment for me was the projection during the design scene.

Matthew Wild gets a kiss on the cheek from me. His direction plays a pivotal role in the smooth transitions of the scenes on a stage with some limitations.  Birrie le Roux gave me life with the costume designs. My favorite being the Angels’ outfits for the boxing match, with those high ponytails.

Darren Craig plays Charlie and Oh Boy, does he do it well. The song Soul of a Man is a tough one, and he smashed it. He can sing to me all day, every day.  Earl Gregory steps into the heels of Lola and do I dare say, it’s his best role I’ve seen him in yet. Gregory doesn’t play Lola, he becomes Lola. He forces you to look at him without saying a word.

Lola’s Angels are played by Tshepo Ncokoane, Philip Schnetler, Chester Martinez and Emile Doubell. They strut their stuff on stage in full fabulocity and makes you want to join them! Namisa Mdlalosa, who plays Lauren is fantastic and completely makes the character her own. Her version of Lauren actually works better for me than the ‘Broadway Lauren’. She steals every scene she’s in and her comedy timing is so perfect… I can’t even deal with it!

Kinky Boots tackle real life issues and pulls hard on your heart strings. It teaches acceptance and challenge the closed-minded. Not my Father’s Son made me do the ugly cry because I could relate to it so much. That is why Kinky Boots is such a loved and important show.

Everybody will find something they can relate to in the story and overall, it’s a toe-tapping, feel-good show.

If you have a heart, you will Love Kinky Boots!

This show currently plays on stage of the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town, until October 27, 2019.

Photo credit Jesse Kramer

[box type=”info” align=”alignright” ] [dropcap]B[/dropcap]etty Bangles is South Africa’s leading drag artist, and a self-confessed theatre junkie. As a created character by artist-in-his-own-right, Bernard Buys, Miss Bangles’ involvement within the theatre and TV industry, stretches from on the stage, to behind the scenes.  Stage and Screen thought it to be very appropriate, to have a musical like Kinky Boots, reviewed by her.

This review was voluntarily done by Bernard Buys, and acted purely as a trusted contributor to Stage and Screen. The views depicted in this review, are that of the contributor, but edited and published according to the established identity and standards of the publication. We thank Betty for the contribution, and hope for many more collaborations to come.[/box]

The post Review: Kinky Boots appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Just two weeks into its South African premiere run, The Fugard Theatre’s production of multiple Tony-Award winning musical Kinky Boots has been extended. Bookings are now open for performances until 27 October.

Presented by Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre, this is the first non-replica production of the show, and a brand new, South African original production of this huge-hearted, smash-hit musical.

Kinky Boots has been playing to sold-out houses and wowing audiences, who have responded with comments.

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots was first brought to life on the big screen in 2005 before being transformed into a hit musical, winning six Tony and three Olivier Awards.

Kinky Boots features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Tony Award for Best Original Score, Tony Award for Best Choreography and Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Kinky Boots has played to sold out houses on Broadway and in the West End since 2013. This mega-hit is a must see for all Musical Theatre fans.

The Fugard Theatre’s Kinky Boots is brought to you by the same creative team behind the Fugard Theatre productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl and West Side Story. Direction is by Matthew Wild, Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Choreography by Louisa Talbot. Costume design is by Birrie Le Roux, Set Design by Paul Wills and Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell. Sound Design is by Mark Malherbe.

A stellar local cast is led by Darren Craig as shoe factory owner Charlie Price and Earl Gregory stepping in to the role of drag queen Lola.,

Kinky Boots

The Fugard Theatre Cape Town

11 June 2019 – 2 February 2020.

Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a matinee performance on Saturdays and on Sundays at 3pm

Tickets starting from R180 can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com

This production has a recommended age restriction of no under 10 year olds.

There is a 20% discount available for all Friends of The Fugard members (on certain performance days); a 15% discount for pensioners and 10% discount for students and block bookings. These discounted tickets can be booked through the Fugard Theatre box office only and are available for performances from 27 June 2019 onwards.

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