Kinky Boots to embark on first UK tour from September 2018

Kinky Boots, which first debuted in the West End in 2015, is to embark on a UK tour from September next year.

Based on the hit 2005 film with a screenplay by Tim Firth, the musical garnered positive reviews when it first opened at the Adelphi Theatre. It has music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

Kinky Boots will open at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton from 19 September to 6 October, before touring to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Manchester Opera House, Edinburgh Playhouse, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent and Bristol Hippodrome. More dates and venues are to be announced.

The play tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits a suffering shoe factory. Following a meeting with drag queen Lola, Price starts embracing a more flamboyant business model.

The current West End cast is composed of David Hunter (Price), Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Lola) and Verity Rushworth (Lauren).

First opening on Broadway in 2012, with direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell. It earned 13 Tony Award nominations, winning 6 including Best Musical and Best Score. In 2016 it went on to win 3 Olivier Awards following its West End premiere.

The show will continue its West End run at the Adelphi Theatre.

Lauper said: "It has been a wonderful adventure and a privilege for me, to play a part in creating Kinky Boots. Everyone can relate to this universal story, and I am overwhelmed that people in the UK have embraced it with open arms. I am thrilled that this fabulous show will be touring the country!"

Fierstein said: "The inspiring story of Kinky Boots will soon complete its full circle journey from Northampton to the silver screen to Broadway and London and now, at last, back home to Northampton as it embarks on a national UK tour. It’s been an absolute thrill to witness the giant heart of our show raise audiences up out of their seats in clamorous joy night after night in the West End and I am now so glad to experience its homecoming."

Mitchell said: "I am delighted to see this big-spirited musical going on tour. Kinky Boots is very close to my heart, and I am really looking forward to taking this British musical all over the UK ."

The show will open at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton from 19 September to 6 October, before touring to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (16 – 27 October 2018), Newcastle Theatre Royal (29 October – 10 November 2018), Manchester Opera House (12 November – 1 December 2018), Edinburgh Playhouse (10 December 2018 – 5 January 2019), Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (14 – 26 January 2019), Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (28 January – 9 February 2019) and Bristol Hippodrome (25 February – 9 March 2019). More dates and venues are to be announced.

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