SWICH Up Productions has revealed its next major musical, with the Broadway smash-hit Kinky Boots set to strut onto the Ipswich Civic Centre stage in March 2026.
Co-founder and Director Adrian Carr told Local Ipswich News the choice of show was a deliberate shift from its most recent production, Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical.
“We wanted to present something that was a contrast to the intensity of Jekyll and Hyde – a feel-good comedy,” Mr Carr said.
“The most exciting thing about this show is how uplifting it’s going to be. It’s just a joyous and positive production.”
He added that Kinky Boots would not only appeal to regular theatre-goers but also to Ipswich’s vibrant drag and LGBT communities.
First debuting on Broadway in 2013, Kinky Boots features music and lyrics by pop legend Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein.
Inspired by a true story and the 2005 British film of the same name, the musical follows Charlie Price, a struggling shoe factory owner who unexpectedly teams up with Lola, a fabulous drag queen, to save his family’s failing business by creating a line of bold, high-heeled boots.
The production became an instant hit, winning six Tony Awards.
“Kinky Boots is not just a comedy – it’s a story about people overcoming prejudice, embracing diversity and building unlikely friendships,” Carr said.
“We know Ipswich audiences are going to leave the theatre smiling and singing along.”
