A sensational cast of Australian and international performers has been announced to star in the premiere season of the multi-award-winning musical, Kinky Boots at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 12 October 2016.
Callum Francis and Toby Francis will portray principal characters Lola and Charlie – the fabulous drag performer and the young man he inspires to revamp the family shoe business.
Joining them are a mix of accomplished musical theatre performers and exciting fresh faces, including Sophie Wright (Lauren), Damien Bermingham (Don), Teagan Wouters (Nicola) and Nathan Carter (George), along with Blake Appelqvist, comedy veteran Glenn Butcher, Hilary Cole, Jessica Condon, Denise Devlin, Euan Doidge, Daniel Downing, Bronte Florian, Linden Furnell, Ryan Gonzalez, Samm Hagen, Anthony Harkin, Joe Kosky, Jenni Little, Liam Peel, Emma Powell, Matthew Predny, Eric Rasmussen, Mark Stefanoff and Mitchell Woodcock.
“Since Kinky Boots began on Broadway we’ve opened productions in London, Toronto, Seoul and on tour across the US and this is without doubt one of the strongest casts we’ve ever put together. Aussie audiences will be blown away – as we were in the audition room!” said Jerry Mitchell of the Australian cast.
Winner of every major international award for Best Musical, Kinky Boots features music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.
Kinky Boots centres on a down-at-heel English shoe factory run by Charlie Price that is given fabulous new life after a chance encounter with Lola, an entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.
Sydney-based singer, writer and musical theatre performer Toby Francis will play Charlie. A member of the internationally renowned Australian music ensemble The Ten Tenors, Toby was recently seen in Dogfight at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre Co.
Rising British star Callum Francis (pictured) will join the Australian production directly from London, where he is currently wowing audiences as the understudy Lola on the West End stage. Having performed in UK productions of The Lion King, Ghost and Miss Saigon, Kinky Boots will mark his Australian debut.
“Just wait until you see Callum and Toby do their thing, they are both so talented! I’m thrilled to have them join our big, fabulous Kinky Boots family,” said Composer and lyricist, Cyndi Lauper.
Kinky Boots opened on Broadway in April 2013 scooping six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. The blockbuster hit opened in London’s West End in September last year, winning three Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. It is inspired by a true story and based on the Miramax film by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth starring Joel Edgerton.
Kinky Boots will make its Australian premiere on Saturday 22 October 2016 at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. Preview performances commence from Wednesday 12 October. Due to popular demand, new tickets will be released on Monday 2 May, with the musical extended until 27 November 2016. For more information, visit: www.kinkybootsthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Callum Francis will play Lola in the Australian production of Kinky Boots – photo by Darren Bell