“Kinky Boots”
Nottingham Theatre Royal

"Kinky Boots" takes you from the factory floor to the catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the shoe factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola – a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

The stage production is slightly different in parts to the film and I particularly loved the replacement for the arm wrestling competition between Don and Lola in the musical stage show.

Kayi Ushe plays Lola and, having seen the film twice, it would be hard to imagine someone to match up to the incredible performance given in the film by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Kavi Ushe was the perfect choice and a perfect match for Ejifor.

The over confident showman as Lola and the vulnerable revelations of Simon were beautifully done and when Kavi sings, the soul in his voice oozes out. The fragility in "Not My Father's Son" is as tender as any Luther Vandross's ballads, as was "Hold Me In Your Heart". Then there are the disco belters like "Land Of Lola" and "Sex Is In The Heel"

Joel Harper-Jackson plays Charlie Price and again a man who can really perform a song but it was not until Act two with the amazing "Soul Of A Man" that we get to hear the full passion and power he has in his voice

Paula Lane, who we all know from playing Kylie Platt in Coronation Street plays Lauren, and at first I didn't recognise her with her long blonde wig. Lauren has a bit of a crush on Charlie but of course Charlie is engaged to Nicola, but as in all the best musicals, true love really does conquer all.

Demitri Lampra, who plays Don, the bigoted worker who Lola manages to change, opinion wise is a brilliant character, and is better on stage than in the film, and the character was good in the film. Even with his outdated views at the start, he received a massive cheer at the end of the show. Well we all like to see a reformed character don't we? Another actor with a really good musical theatre voice, something I wasn't expecting.

Helen Ternent, Nicola, Charlie's selfish fiancee and Adam Price George,the wonderfully camp foreman in the factory, complete the main cast.

Lola's Angels are, dare I say it, gorgeous and funny and are great dancers with great flexibility.

The ensemble are also excellent and really flesh out this wonderful musical.

The music and lyrics are both by Cyndi Lauper and having been a fan of her music since the early Eighties, when I first heard this soundtrack, I realised there was so much more to Cyndi Lauper , music wise,than her records portrayed. The score covers several genres form disco stompers to gospel tinges, rock and big ballads. listen carefully and you can hear nods to some of the arrangements of her chart work.

Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, both areas were stunning, especially the latter.

The lighting was what you'd expect from a West End Show as was the set, and I loved the contrasting Northampton setting and the Milan catwalk.

I had heard that there were a few sound issues on opening night, Monday, but if there were any issues, these had been ironed out, because the sound design was spot on. If only the Spice Girls could borrow this production's sound designer!

Talking of sound and volume, I have never heard such a reaction from an audience at the Theatre Royal as was heard tonight, Tuesday. If you can imagine the roar of the crowd of England scoring the winning goal in the World Cup (No even I can't remember that far back), that would come somewhere near the enthusiasm and volume that this show received.

This show is sheer entertainment from start to end.The sort of musical that will have you feeling all warm and squidgy inside, but also has a great message to send out.

This really was one production I couldn't wait to see on stage and it exceeded everything that I had hoped for. You will not be disappointed here!

One of the easiest reviews I've had to write.

“Kinky Boots” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 8 June