Upcoming musical Chess is “more than black and white” for Geelong actor Jules Hart.
“Although the story is around chess, the game is used more as a metaphor for political intrigue,” he said.
“All the characters try to play each other.”
Featuring music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by musical theatre legend Tim Rice, Chess is the allegorical tale of a Cold War-era chess tournament.
Hart, 32, plays the American grandmaster Fredrick Trumper, who is battling not only to win the World Championship but the heart of fellow player Florence.
“He’s a very arrogant showman – he’s sort of an amplified version of me,” he said.
“I’ve been in theatre for a while, so I like being a bit of a showman, although I probably don’t have Trumper’s a**hole side.”
Geelong Society of Dramatic Arts (GSODA) will transform Geelong’s Playhouse Theatre into a giant chess board for the play.
Performers will become the story’s pawns, in a tale of love and East-West intrigue, featuring players, politicians, the CIA and KGB.
“Old-hat” actor Hart said Chess was one the most challenging plays of his 19-year career, thanks to some “unique technical aspects”.
However, he would not expand on these.
“People will just have to come along to find out,” he said.
Political intrigue, romance and a crowd-pleasing soundtrack combine to produce a match-winning night of theatre, said GSODA’s Carolanne Glynne.
“Be sure to make your move before it’s too late.”
Matthew Bradford, Sally-Anne Cowdell and David Mackay will join Hart on the cast, along with director Debbie Fraser and vocal director Adelle Gregory.
The play’s score, directed by Damien Montalto, includes well-known songs such as I Know Him So Well, Anthem and One Night in Bangkok.
Chess plays at the Playhouse for six shows from 7-15 October. Tickets available from Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 5225 1200 or at www.gpac.org.au
