Shoelace Chaser (MTC), at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler

A warm-hearted, comedic drama about overcoming challenges and dealing with adversity to become your best self, Shoelace Chaser readily resonates.

Seventeen-year-old Thea (Leigh Lule) is in her last year at a public school and is a very fast runner. 

Photos by Jacinta Keefe

But two years ago, she gave up on a promising athletics future to attend to her ailing mother, Fiona (Zoe Boesen).

While we never find out the exact nature of Fiona’s condition, what is clear is that she has episodes.

Fiona has had to give up her bricks and mortar florist business, but continued government funding, which she receives, is now in doubt.

So it is that Thea cares deeply about her mum (as her mum does for her) and worries about her.

Money is in short supply, and outside school Thea holds down a part time job.

Now she has decided to return to the track, without telling her mother – just for fun.

It is there that she immediately catches the eye of a sensitive and empathetic chatterbox, a gay guy from a Catholic school, named Syd (Elliot Wood).

In the past, he has seen Thea run and has always been impressed.

But when Thea tells him she has stopped competing for ribbons and trophies, Syd doesn’t understand why she would do such a thing.

And yet Thea keeps her cards close to her chest.

Suffice to say that Thea takes Syd, who could do with some help in the running stakes, under her wing.

That isn’t just about his technique, but about calming his mind when he inevitably becomes anxious before a competitive outing.

So it is that the pair forms a strong friendship. 

As Fiona is feeling better, with Thea’s assistance, she starts an online florist enterprise.

But Thea still isn’t forthcoming with Syd about the real pressures she is facing, trying to fool herself that she can do it all.

Thea’s ears prick up when Syd tells her about the prospect of an all expenses paid university scholarship for high athletic achievers.

Nevertheless, the fact that it would mean moving away from her mother makes it unpalatable for Thea.

Inevitably, matters come to a head.

Shoelace Chaser becomes a story about the characters helping each other and thereby enabling them to realise their full potential. 

Although the script follows a largely expected path, it is one warmly embraced by the audience.

In other words, we are willing events to play out as they do because all are such nice people.

The play raises the question of what we owe those we care about the most. It wrestles with the concept of love and obligation.

Although it is not autobiographical, Thea’s role as a carer was partly inspired by moments in writer Madelaine Nunn’s life.

When she was eight and on a family holiday, Nunn’s father suffered a life-altering stroke and their family dynamic changed forever.

Nunn found herself with new responsibilities to help her mum and care for her younger brother. Nunn’s friends remained unaware of what was going on.

A few years later, Nunn’s mother was involved in a motorbike accident, which became another life-altering moment.

The work was developed as part of MTC’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program. 

It has been beautifully realised, with some stunning performances and evocative set, sound and lighting.

Leigh Lule is glorious as Thea. Her joie de vivre lights up a room.

Elliot Wood is equally impressive, so expressive and energetic as Syd.

The pair “bounces off” each other superbly, a delight to behold.

Zoe Boesen embraces her role as a mother with a very close relationship with her daughter, trying to do as much as her condition allows. 

Set and costume designer Bianca Pardo excels with her realisation of time and place.

A running track surrounds a simple couch setting, which represents Fiona and Thea’s family home.

Running/training gear, in Syd’s case rainbow socks, speaks volumes.

Composer and sound designer Tom Backhaus capitalises on upbeat music to set the tone of training and then backs away during more poignant moments.

Lighting designer Thomas Roach is ever vigilant about mood.

Director Liv Satchell has carefully crafted a series of characters that we envelope, in a work that shines for its humanity.

Seventy minutes without interval, Shoelace Chaser is a spirited and triumphant production, which is on at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler until 27^th May, 2026.