Kinky Boots to hit the stage this week

CAST aside your winter blues with a burst of colour, movement, vibrant music, and a fun-filled engaging and meaningful story as Kinky Boots hits Leongatha.

Leongatha Lyric Theatre (LLT) group has transformed Mesley Hall into a shoe factory, with a grand and spectacular set featuring moveable staircases and sliding panels.

The hall’s usual small stage has been enhanced with a major extension.

“When you see that stage, it’s amazing we’ve turned this school hall into a theatre,” LLT president and production manager Bron Beach said.

She explained that LLT aims to provide high quality stage productions that bring the community together.

With 1980s icon Cyndi Lauper behind the show’s music and lyrics, audience members will find themselves transported to that era as they enjoy the musical’s songs.

Musical director Ben Stein said the production’s small but enthusiastic band is comprised of local musicians.
He is excited by the show’s energy and music.

“It’s got every facet of the 80s,” he said.

Kinky Boots is based on a true story and features character Charlie Price who decides to save his father’s struggling shoe business by producing high-heeled boots suited to drag queens, inspired by drag queen Lola.

Like the set, no effort has been spared in terms of creating costumes, with the dazzling drag queens sure to delight attendees. 

While the show has broad appeal, director Brad Beach spoke of its importance for the LGBT community.

“Often members of the LGBT community are the comic relief, or the bad person, or the person who needs saving, never the hero, but this is different and they’re the ones who help save the factory,” Brad said.

Jonah van Stekelenburg is revelling in playing Lola.

“I love getting to let my feminine side shine and to be accepted in the community like that and have it really on show is beautiful,” Jonah said, highlighting the importance of people having the opportunity to be themselves.

Mark Harrison is part of the stage management team that will be kept busy throughout the show.

“The team gets everything to work on stage from sets, light, sound, props, moveable pieces and the cast and we manage all that,” Mark said.

That involves close communication with those in charge of lighting, the director, the choreographer and the set designer.

Mark described the vast and adaptable set as “insane”, outlining the complexity of ensuring everyone knows what is required.

“We print out for everybody that’s working the stage what everything is, when it moves, how it moves, where it goes to and what its configuration looks like,” he said.

Mark’s wife Orla McCarthy is looking forward to her role as stage manager, ensuring everything comes together smoothly for the show’s array of creative people.

“Ask me in a week,” Orla said when asked if she feels much pressure, adding “Once the show starts, it sits on my shoulders.”

Trevor Wyhoon will be in charge of lighting, with the show’s changing settings providing a challenge.

“It is quite complicated and involved hours of programming, a bit like building a video game,” Trevor said.

The lighting will highlight detailed elements of the Colin Mitchell designed set, with extensive use of silhouetting of cast members and the set.
Peter Western took charge of building the set, with a band of enthusiastic helpers.