" Kinky Boots " by Gatepost Theatre Company

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

It's time to get your boots out for the lads...and the gals as well, of course in this brilliantly fun musical.

Based on the 2005 film Kinky Boots, written by Geoff Deane, who used to be in the band Modern Romance - remember them? - and Tim Firth of Calendar Girls fame, and inspired by true events. The musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who having inherited Price & Son, a shoe factory from his father, forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they are not so different after all.

Lola is played by Dan Surj and it's quite uncanny that when dressed as Simon - Lola is Simon's alter-ego drag queen name - his attitude changes altogether, that confident person is not there, and the reason for this can be gleaned from Simon's song "Not My Father's Son". Dan really is pushed out of his comfort zone as an actor with this role but I think that I can speak for the audience by stating that he absolutely nailed it. The confidence in the acting as well as the singing, while wearing heels is very impressive. A wonderfully emotive version of "Hold Me In Your Heart" highlighted Dan's ability to not only sing a song but to really deliver a song with heartfelt emotion.

Charlie is played by Jarrod Makin. I can remember the first time that I saw Jarrod on stage and he has come so, so far as an actor. Again, the confidence he has as a leading man is plain to see, and his vocals are just as impressive, and when you hear the long notes that he sustains, he causes the hairs to stand up on your arms. The strength in Jarrod's vocals were really highlighted with his song "The Soul Of A Man".

Nicola, Charlie's fiancee, is played by Kiah Smith with the fiery red hair, and her character is as fiery as her hair. Not a major role in the story but always there to pick away at Charlie's confidence and self-belief.

Lauren, one of the women on the assembly line, who just happens to have a bit of a crush on Charlie, is played by Claire Rybicki. It's so nice to see Claire back on stage - it seems ages. Lauren is a great character who has some lovely comedy scenes, especially with her lead song "The History Of Wrong Guys" allowing us to hear Claire's great voice.

Don, who is one of the male members of the factory gets his macho ego bruised by the appearance of Lola at the factory, is played by Simon Owen; an actor who I always enjoy seeing on stage. Don is one of the characters that really stand out; Mark Addy played the role in the film, so you need a big character to play him and Gatepost got it spot on again choosing Simon for the part of Don. And just wait for Simon's vocals, which would not seem out of place in a rock band.

The other factory workers are played by Jude Cliffman (Trish), Gary Heap (Harry/George), Ben Gray and Laura Stone (Pat). The ensemble also included Ellie Branbury and Michelle Syson, Lottie Lodge played Roberta Bailey, Neil Ledders played Mr Price Senior, the young Charlie was played by Isaac Fisher and young Lola/played by one of my favourite younger actors, William Hall.

Lola's Angels were played by Stephanie Wright, Matthew Charlton and the brilliant Lucas Young. Matthew is another actor; I imagine who with this role, has been pushed out of his comfort zone. Lucas has been showing our drag stars exactly how to perform in drag and in heels and has been indispensable with their knowledge. And they look incredible to boot.

Directed by Christopher Collington, this show is pacy, immense fun but also delivers serious messages like acceptance, being different along with the guilt carried by a person. Another massive success for one of my favourite local theatre Directors.

Choreographed by Stephanie Wright, and I especially loved the tango sequence, plus the choreographed boxing scene, all done in slow motion, brilliantly lit. As with the rest of the show, the choreography was exciting to watch and the actors clearly show the hard work that has been put in by Stephanie, as well as themselves.

The soundtrack, which was written by Cyndi "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Lauper, it includes some catchy tunes such as "The Sex Is In The Heel", "Land Of Lola", "Everybody Say Yeah", the rousing "Raise You Up/Just Be" as well as the very poignant "Not My Father's Son".

In charge of the music for the show is Musical Director Martin Lewis, and like knowing who is in the cast, you just know that you can relax because this department as well is in the best of hands. I was not mistaken.

Sound is by MASCD Audio and there was no way we were going to not hear the cast, the band or anything. Nice and beefy and the clarity was perfect, showing that the acoustics at The Duchess can be perfect. Only a couple of missed mic cues, nothing to worry about on first night.

The Lighting is by Stephen Greatorex, and I can truly say that this is possibly one of the best lighting designs that i have seen for a while. It was almost concert style quality and there was only one thing that I could find to pick at. At the start there are several gaps made for heads to be thrust through when singing and all but one had a spotlight focused on. There needs to be another spotlight to focus on the face in the darkness.

Talking of the set, designed by Mark Green, I almost felt like I was in a factory, especially with the thousands - I didn't count them, I tried but gave up - of shoe boxes that made the backgrouind of the set and those that were scattered around the stage. I loved the simplicity of this idea, especially as part of the back of the set also included a door, disguised by the shoe boxes. Clever stuff.

Great costumes, sourced by Lottie Lodge and the Drag Queen Costumes were provided by Lucas Young, all very glamorous and sparkly.

This musical is quickly becoming one of my favourites as it's just such a great feel-good piece of theatre, great songs and some wonderful social messages given out as well. A brilliant cast, amazing vocals, great band and sound, a lot of soul and that wonderful lighting design, all makes this show one not to be missed out on this week. So get your boots on and start walking - as Nancy Sinatra once said.

"Kinky Boots" by Gatepost Theatre Company will be parading on stage until Saturday 17 September with a matinee performance on that day as well.