Directed by Derek Walker – Assoc. Direction and
Choreography by: Michelle Heine
Musical Direction
by Nick Griffin - Set Designed by: Cate Clelland
Costume Designed by Fiona Leach - Lighting Designed by
Phillip Goodwin
Sound Designed by Dillon Wilding
Presented by Free Rain Theatre – The Q, Queanbeyan, 11th
– 28th July 2019
Reviewed by Bill Stephens.
With a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics
by Cyndi Lauper, “Kinky Boots” is a musical about a young man who saves his
father’s shoe factory from closing down by making boots for drag queens. In the
hands of director, Derek Walker and his associate, Michelle Heine, this
unlikely scenario proves a surprisingly charming, disarming and downright
entertaining exploration of the power of inclusiveness and goodwill.
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| Lola (Rania Potaka- Osborne) and her angels. |
Inventive direction, brilliant choreography and top
rate performances by an enthusiastic cast together with excellent scenery and
costume design combine to draw the audience into the world of young Charlie
Price (charmingly portrayed by Martin Everett) who’s reluctantly taken over the
reigns of his late father’s failing shoe
factory. In an effort to fulfil his father’s dream for the factory, Charlie resists
the advice of his ambitious girlfriend,
Nicola ( a very good performance by Hannah Lance) who’s sourced a developer to
convert the factory into apartments, in favour of a suggestion from factory
employee, Lauren, (Brittanie Shipway) that he seek out a niche market. A chance meeting with drag queen, Lola (Rania
Potaka-Osborne) provides Charlie with his solution.
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| Lola (Rania Potaka-Osborne) and Charlie Price (Martin Everett) |
The linchpin of any production of “Kinky Boots” is the
casting of the role of Lola, because it’s Lola who provides the sparkle and
drive for the show. A fine
actor/singer/dancer, Rania Potaka-Osborne has sparkle and drive in spades, and
his superbly nuanced performance also reveals the insecurity behind Lola’s apparent brashness. His duet
with Charlie, “Not My Father’s Son” is one of the highlights of the show. He’s
also a brilliant dancer and the dazzling dance sequences, threaded throughout
the show, for which he’s backed by his “angels”, provide sparkle and spectacle
aplenty.
Michelle Heine has excelled herself with her
choreography for this show, which is perfectly in-sync in style and mood, as
are Fiona Leach’s costumes for the “angels”, Lachlan Agett, Ashley Jefferys,
Garrett Kelly, Jordan Kelly, David Santolin and Alexander Thorpe, all of whom
perform with style and chutzpah.
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| Lola (background) and her Angels |
The strength of Derek Walker’s direction is evident in
the fine performances he has drawn from his cast, especially the ensemble who
all perform with confidence and commitment. Brittanie Shipway gives a fine
comedic performance as the company spokesperson, Lauren, and her big number,
“The History of Wrong Guys” is a show-stopper. Kara Sellars and Chelsea Heaney
both delight as outspoken factory employees, Pat and Trish. Their rendition of
“What a Woman Wants”, for which they are joined by another stand-out, Tim Stiles
as Don, provides another memorable highlight.
Peter Dark impresses with his carefully understated ghostly
presence as Charlie’s deceased father, Mr. Price, and Michael Heming oozes
efficiency as the factory foreman, George.
Also particularly impressive is Dillon-Willding’s
excellent sound design which insures the balance between the singers and
Nicholas Griffin’s stylish band does full justice to Cyndi Lauper’s clever
lyrics and catchy score. Phillip Goodwin’s imaginative lighting design allows the audience to appreciate the cleverly devised set changes in
Cate Clelland’s excellent setting, as well as providing oomph and atmosphere
throughout.
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| Lola and the "Kinky Boots" ensemble |
Free Rain Theatre has excelled itself with this
beguiling production. Refreshingly free of coarse language, this artfully
realized production of “Kinky Boots”; packed as it is with excellent
performances, clever staging and catchy music, is a family treat not to be
missed.