The Ruby Slippers of the title is a struggling drag club in Blackpool.
There’s a lot of love in the neon-lit venue with its bar wall homages to Judy Garland in her Wizard of Oz persona and a photo-framed still of Elizabeth Taylor from the film 'Cat on a A Hot Tin Roof.'
These are inspirations for owner Raz who is a friend of Dorothy’s – gay, that is.
He is besotted with his flat mate Ryan who is also his bar man.
But Ryan has a secret – he wants to be a woman.
It is, above all else, a sharp comedy but one that successfully looks at different facets of personal identity and loyalty.
Break a Leg productions and producer Bill Elms had faith in it two years ago. It started out on a mini-tour with stints at the Epstein in Liverpool and the West End.
Now this current run – part of the official Pride programme – succeeds in getting the audience to care about each of the six characters
Raz is played by James Rogerson in a role he has made his own.
The actor has the ability to be hilarious and sensitive at the drop of an innuendo. And he can dance too,
Raz is worried a local rival club will take away his audience and his stars and he is hitting the bottle like he huts the dance floor with gusto.
Ray (Emmerdale’s Kurtis Stacey) plays a good looking lad who will make an even more attractive Rachel after his transition to becoming a ‘her.’
Ray’s mum (Debra Redcliffe) is a tarot card reading shoulder to cry on
Two outrageous but delightful drag artists are a joy to watch notably on some risque dance numbers. One in particular - a spoof on the Titanic film is a highlight.
Drag duo Phoenix (Jordan Simms) and Destiny (Owen Richard Farrow) inject a lot of comedy both physical and verbal – presenting optimism in every wild gesture.
There are some bonding scenes between Raz and his old school pal the likeable Laura (Emma Vaudrey) now a supermarket executive aiming to buy out the Ruby Slippers for property development.
They have a shared love of the film Dirty Dancing.
Writers Emma Culshaw and David Paul and director Crag Ryder ensure each character has their own voice.
This play will be around for a long time to come.
It has something to say and delivers it with style and great humour.
Packed with surprises - four stars.
On until Saturday, July 28 at The Royal Court.
Tickets are available from the box office on 0151 709 4321.
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