Are you ready boots?

Our review of the West End production 

The latest in a slew of brit-coms turned musicals comes to the West End in glorious, high-kicking style. Kinky Boots is a laugh-a-minute celebration of individuality served with huge helpings of sassiness, tenderness and breathtaking musicality.

Adapted from the 2005 film, Kinky boasts a book by Harvey Fierstein, direction and breathtaking choreography from award-dripping Jerry Mitchell and music and lyrics by none other than Cyndi Flipping Lauper. After opening on Broadway in 2013, it went on to win an eye-watering six Tonys, including Best Musical before mounting a US tour and finally hitting London.

We open on an ailing Northampton shoe factory and the trials faced by new owner Charlie Price, stuck on deciding between his London-bound fiance and getting his act together and saving the family business.

Enter Lola, a London Drag Queen perched on perilously high heels, with enough charisma to melt a glacier. She has a problem though, her women's shoes keep breaking...After a chance meeting, Charlie-boy heads home to create the perfect drag shoe. But Charlie's style-deficient product is not quite there, urging Lola to drop everything and invade the gruff factory floor and show him how it's done, fabulously, along with his chorus of Drag pals, the Angels.

As Price and Son realises the potential of their untapped niche market, the story unfolds in triumphant style, with floor shows, boxing matches and a burgeoning love story between Charlie and employee Lauren,the latter of which steals the show with her hilarious realisation that she's falling for him. Elsewhere Mr Fierstein's book teaches us the importance of passion and tolerance, loving ourselves and everybody, enveloping the audience in the most incredible feeling of safety and happiness.

Feel-good, anthemic, and infectiously uplifting, Kinky Boots is the perfect foil for Cyndi's alluring 'Just Be Yourself' attitude. Exuding glorious camp, heart and humour, Kinky has already won over London, eliciting more foot stomping and cheers in the first act that I've ever seen on the West End, including quite a few from myself.

As Lola sings, leave your expectations at the door and prepare to be bowled over, cos this one's keeper.

View our show pages for more information about Kinky Boots, Manchester Palace Theatre.