Casting controversy for Kinky Boots musical amateur production in Melbourne

A renowned Melbourne amateur theatre company has come under fire for casting a white actor in the role of a black character, drag queen Lola, in its version of the hit musical Kinky Boots.

Aaron Taylor-Tedford as Lola (fourth from right) and the angels ensemble of CLOC Kinky Boots. Picture: Facebook

A St Kilda amateur theatre company has come under fire for casting a white actor in the role of Lola in the hit musical Kinky Boots.

Lola has been a black character in professional shows and was played by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2005 film and Callum Francis on stage in Australia.

CLOC Musical Theatre, renowned as one of the best amateur theatre companies in Australia, this week came under attack on social media after posting cast photos featuring a caucasian Lola, played by Aaron Taylor-Tedford, a past X-Factor contestant.

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In response, CLOC said “it was not a requirement of the show to cast a person of colour in the role of Lola and we cast from the auditionees who presented at the auditions”.

One Facebook commenter, Elizabeth Anne, slammed the official statement as “poor excuses for whitewashing” while Beau Rush criticised the decision saying the company seemed to be “oblivious to how seriously offensive this casting choice is”.

Shani Senaratne said it was a “terribly tone deaf response. Just goes to show this company is digging its heels in while so much of the arts industry is growing more aware and moving forward”.

Callum Francis as Lola in Melbourne’s professional production of Kinky Boots. Picture: Annette Dew

However, many people supported the company.

Antony McManus said the lead actor was an “amazing talent”.

“Anyone who is lucky enough to see Aaron will agree,” he said.

Caitlin Ryan said: “colourblind casting can and should work both ways. I’m sure the performer cast as Lola will kill it.”

Petar Jovicic said “people want to see a quality show … and that comes down to who has the best talent out of the people that auditioned.”

On Facebook, CLOC said it understood there were some concerns in the community about the casting process for Kinky Boots.

“CLOC has a long standing ‘blind casting’ policy for all roles in our shows from leads to ensemble,” the theatre company’s post states.

“CLOC invited auditionees of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities to audition for Kinky Boots and after a rigorous process were able to assemble an outstanding cast of talented performers each of whom has proved themselves worthy of their respective roles.”

The musical Kinky Boots — scored by pop icon Cyndi Lauper — first opened in 2012 and follows the story of a shoe factory in Northampton who teams up with drag queen Lola to try save the family business by making heels for men.

The official website for the musical describes the story as one of love and acceptance.

“With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences … their most sensational achievement is their friendship.”

Song “Land of Lola” includes the lyrics “that’s me ebony”, “cocoa butter”, and “I’m black Jesus, I’m black Mary”.

But it’s not uncommon in amateur theatre to have alternative song lyrics for actors who don’t look a certain way.

The musical A Chorus Line has alternative lyrics for two characters, one for non-Asian actors and the other for actors who aren’t tall.

Other productions such as Hairspray and Aladdin have had casting controversies in the past, with high schools and amateur theatre companies struggling to find people of diverse ethnicities to play the roles.

Kinky Boots will play at The National Theatre Melbourne May 17 to June 1.

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