Actor Killian Donnelly is strutting his stuff in six inch high red sequinned boots on the West End stage.
But while he rehearsed for his latest 'shoebusiness' role in the Kinky Boots musical, he was penning a fairytale Cinderella panto for Sheringham Little Theatre.
'It was Kinky Boots by day, Cinders by night,' said the 31-year-old Irishman, who has been suffering for his art in his new role as a shoe factory boss turning to drag queen fashion to save his dying business.
The actor, who has also had leading roles in The Commitments and Memphis, said walking - and dancing- in the boots was the hardest thing he had done in his career.
And it has seen him on the treatment table for stilleto-related injuries.
'I was loaned a pair of size 10 high heel boots when I was finishing with Memphis and used to walk around the dressing room in them. It really makes your muscles burn and throws you off balance - I don't know why women wear them. It's a skill.'
His leg went into spasms and needed emergency acupuncture, physio and massage to get him back on stage after missing one show.
Rehearsals began in July shortly after he sent the first draft of his panto script to Sheringham.
Mr Donnelly has written the last three (CHECK) pantos for Sheringham after the theatre discovered he was a panto fan and writer as well as stage performer.
Cinderella was an iconic panto with something for all the family - including jokes between the Ugly Sisters for the adults to enjoy - and some chart music being added in, he added.
And the intimate venue at Sheringham meant there could be bits of engaging dialogue between Cinders and the Prince without the 'crisp packet moments' from fidgeting children.
In meantime he is hoping to avoid any further high heeled injury drama by using a personal trainer who was a little shocked when his brief was to 'keep me fit because I walk in high heels eight times a week.'
Theatre director Debbie Thompson said: 'I am very excited about Cinderella – it is my favourite pantomime. It is a proper fairy tale and magical with two dames.'
The show has a cast of seven and two teams of eight local young people.
Panto regular Rick Warren is back as Buttons and Lorraine Metcalfe as summer rep drama favourite as the Wicked Queen
North Walsham duo Ron and Charlotte Sayer are directing the music and vocals.
Cinderella at the Sheringham Little Theatre runs from December 9 until January 2.
For more information or to book tickets call 01263 822347 or visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com
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