After five years battling challenges of near-Biblical proportions, North Queensland Opera and Musical Theatre’s (NQOMT) production of Kinky Boots is finally hitting the stage.
Originally slated for 2019, the show was stage-ready and about to launch when the Townsville floods struck, doing significant damage to the Civic Theatre. With no time for repairs and no alternative venue available, the show was postponed.
Fast forward to March 2020, with the show just days from opening, the shadow of COVID was sweeping across the globe and restrictions tightening by the hour.
Kinky Boots’ Production Manager Sasha Pinches says the cast and crew had been determined to persevere.
“Initially we decided we could work around the social distancing and restrictions but then it was total lockdown,” says Sasha.
“The show was cancelled for the second time. The second blow was very hard to take and the cast and crew were absolutely devastated. Some roles had to be recast as people have their own lives and some were moving on and leaving town.”
So here we are again: Round Three! The show has finally made it to the theatre and the curtain will rise on the first public performance on 5 October 2022.
“I sat in on the entire run through last week and the show is absolutely fabulous,” Sasha says.
“At one point I got so overwhelmed I had to go outside.
“The cast is amazing and the costumes are spectacular. We also have the band ‘Kinky Beats’ playing the music live and it’s just fantastic. The live music adds another layer to the show.”
Kinky Boots is a story of a family shoe business. The proprietor’s son doesn’t want anything to do with it and is looking forward to his future prospects and forging his own path. However, when his father passes away suddenly and he has no choice but to take it on, he turns the dated shoe business into something spectacular.
Sasha said the commitment of everyone involved has been deeply inspiring.
“It’s all coming together at last. People don’t get paid and we all have our day-to-day lives and jobs and often work very long hours on weekends and after hours to produce the show,” she says
“Not to mention the financial loss, which was a significant blow to the production.
“However, a positive aspect is that we’ve had the opportunity to reflect and make changes to improve the show and get it just how we want it.
“The dancing by the cast is absolutely awesome and even more so because of the boots and costumes they wear which they perform and dance in. “
Kinky Boots, is a brilliant musical production, with the added element of championing inclusion and acceptance of our selves and others.
NQOMT will present Kinky Boots from 5 – 15 October 2022.
This article was supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Townsville City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
