WE REVIEW KINKY BOOTS
Settle in for Kinky Boots ride
THE Empire Theatre’s major production of Kinky Boots is, quite simply, a breath of fresh theatrical air.
A guest for the performance’s preview night, I had the pleasure of witnessing the song and dance extravaganza with a small and relaxed crowd.
Undoubtedly that energy will change when the refurbished theatre opens and the expected 8000 or more ticketholders settle in for the show.
Toowoomba’s home-grown co-lead Sean Johnston rises to the challenge of playing Charlie, the at-first reluctant then overtly passionate shoe manufacturer.
His hold on audiences really grows when he’s joined by the incredibly talented and engaging Timothy Springs’ Lola.
As expected, Springs dominates the stage and his delivery of Not My Father’s Son stands out as an exceptional piece of theatre.
Don’t expect any plot twists here - Kinky Boots is very much the coming-of-age story that challenges the perceptions of the characters, and it’s here that Isaac Brown’s role of Don shines.
Lola’s crew of Angels add the colour, flair and comedy expected from a show about cross-dressing and drag queens, and Ipswich’s Georgia Spark in the role of Lauren and Sophie Kleinschmidt’s Nicola balance out the love drama with comedic relief just when it’s needed.
For me, it was Mary Quade’s on-point quips as Pat the factory worker that also brought the laughs.
Kinky Boots is a great energetic show, and tells through song and dance how far society has come while eluding that we can always do more.