Press Release: Casting Announced For UK Première Of Kinky Boots

Casting for the UK première of Kinky Boots, Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit, has been announced today. Killian Donnelly and Matt Henry will portray the central characters Charlie and Lola at the heart of the story, and joining them are Amy Lennox (Lauren), Jamie Baughan (Don), Amy Ross (Nicola) and Michael Hobbs (George). Kinky Boots will open at London's Adelphi Theatre on 15 September 2015, with previews from 21 August. 

With a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), and songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price (Killian Donnelly) is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola (Matt Henry), a fabulous drag performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Kinky Boots is the winner of six Broadway Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography. 

Director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell said: "Casting the entire London company of Kinky Boots has been an amazing and energizing experience; each character has a true individual significance in this show and that makes it so special. We are delighted to have found our Lola and Charlie in the hugely talented Matt Henry and Killian Donnelly. Both gentlemen will bring effortless charm and sensational voices to the show.  I am really looking forward to working with all my wonderful cast on Kinky Boots, which will be my 7th production in the West End."

Book writer, Harvey Fierstein said: "The inspiring story of Kinky Boots is about to complete its full circle journey from Northampton to the silver screen to Broadway and now, at last, back home to London. 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 all across the States. I can’t wait to experience its homecoming with our friends across the pond.”

Composer and lyricist, Cyndi 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 convinced that people in the UK are going to fall in love with it - and the music will hopefully get them tapping their toes!"
Killian Donnelly (Charlie) is currently playing Huey Calhoun in Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End. Theatre credits include The Commitments (Palace Theatre), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Les Misérables (Queens Theatre), Michael Collins – A Musical Drama (Cork Opera House), The Full Monty (Olympia Theatre) and West Side Story (Solstice Theatre). Killian’s film credits include Les Misérables (Working Title). He has also appeared on television in Showbands (RTÉ) and The Last Furlong (RTÉ). 

Matt Henry (Lola) recorded an album in 2014 after appearing as a finalist on Series 2 of ‘The Voice’. Theatre credits include Avenue Q (National Tour), The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Northampton), The Harder They Come (Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse and National Tour), The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, The Frontline (Shakespeare’s Globe), Hair (English Theatre Frankfurt), Saturday Night Fever (National Tour) and Miss Saigon (Cameron Mackintosh). Feature film credits include Muppets Most Wanted and Gulliver’s Travels. 

Amy Lennox (Lauren) has numerous theatre credits including Tracks, The Miniaturists (Arcola Theatre), The Pink Bedroom (Defibrillator), 9 to 5 (UK Tour), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre and UK Tour), Decade (Headlong Theatre), The Secret Garden (Birmingham Rep), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Royal & Derngate/Assembly Rooms), Peter Pan (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Sound of Music (The London Palladium). Amy has appeared on screen in Wrong Turn 5 (20th Century Fox), The Cab Ride (Abelle Films) and Never Let Me Go (DNA Films). 

Jamie Baughan (Don) has appeared on stage in Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf (Southwark Playhouse), Robin Hood (Bolton Octagon), Chicago (UK and European Tour), Mirror Teeth (Finborough Theatre), Dreams of Violence (Out of Joint, Max Stafford-Clark) and Joe Orton (Phoenix Theatre). Film credits include Alice in Wonderland – Through the Looking Glass (Disney), Legend (Working Title), The Comedian (The Bureau) and Inkheart (Newline Cinema). Jamie has also appeared on television in Hollyoaks, The C Word, Casualty, The Song of Lunch, Eastenders and The Roman Mysteries. 

Amy Ross (Nicola) is currently playing Joyce in Sunny Afternoon at the Harold Pinter Theatre after transferring from The Hampstead Theatre. Other theatre credits include Jesus Chris Superstar (AEG Live Tour), Legally Blonde (UK Tour), Mamma Mia! (West End), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre), High School Musical (UK Tour). 
Michael Hobbs (George) has appeared on stage in Darling of the Day (Union Theatre), Radio Times (Watermill Theatre), Aladdin (Salisbury Playhouse), Who Ate All The Pies (Ladida Productions) and Johnny Johnson (Lost Musicals). Michael has also appeared on screen in A Fairytale of London Town (Mutt & Jeff Pictures) and My Week With Marilyn (Trademark Films).

Further adult cast includes Gemma Atkins, Paul Ayers, Jeremy Batt, Arun Blair-Mangat, Marcus Collins, Emma Crossley, Jordan Fox, Callum Francis, Robert Grose, Gillian Hardie, Chloe Hart, Sophie Isaacs, Luke Jackson, Robert Jones, Adam Lake, Catherine Millsom, Sean Needham, Tim Prottey-Jones, Verity Quade, Javier Santos, Dominic Tribuzio, Alan Vicary, Michael Vinsen and Bleu Woodward.