Gillian Kirkpatrick will play Molokov in the upcoming production of Chess at the Union Theatre, she is the first ever female to play the role. Gillian recently played Beggar Woman alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in the Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Sweeney Todd which transferred to the West End's Adelphi Theatre. A few of Gillian's many other theatre credits include Velma in Hairspray (UK Tour), Alternate Mrs Wilkinson in the original cast of Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Royal Opera House) and Mrs Johnston/Mrs Lyons in Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre and UK Tour).
Gillian kindly took a break from rehearsals to chat to West End Frame about being the first ever woman to play Molokov in Chess, what it was like starring alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in Sweeney Todd and what other roles she would like to take on in the future...
How are rehearsals for Chess going?
The rehearsals are going really well. We've been working our socks off and had our first run through on Friday! It's a really complex piece that we can all get our teeth into and is proving a glorious challenge.
Chess has already sold out, why do you think it is such a popular show?
Although it is an excellent show with fantastic music and a strong message, Chess is not often performed, so when it is people tend to lap it up. I also think there is a sense of mystery surrounding the piece as the material is never the same twice. There is some shifting around of the music, which character sings what, and even the storyline is changed! The show also has a lot of subtlety about it and it has acquired a cult following.
Why should people come and see Chess? What makes the show stand out?
The production we are doing is already feeling very special. It is easy to imagine Chess as a highly-produced spectacle, often with a huge lit-up chess board as the main feature of the set. With our production, we are stripping away all of that and honing in on the raw roots of the piece, the changing relationships between the characters, the subtle undertones of their real objectives and the grittiness and underhanded side of the game that we rarely see.
What are the cast like to work with?
They're a great bunch of people, we're having lots of laughs and we are all really passionate about the piece.
You are the first ever woman to play Molokov, what’s it like to reinterpret a character?
I'm not going to lie - it's pretty scary! To be able to break new ground with such an iconic show is always going to be nerve-racking! When I first heard of Chris Howell's idea to cast the part as a woman I was immediately intrigued. He wanted to get more of a female balance to the story which in turn has offered us new and interesting sub-plots. Fans of the show will already have ideas about the part, based on productions they have already seen, so we're throwing the cat amongst the pigeons! I love a challenge, and the chance to play a ballsy Russian woman who is a member of the KGB was not one I was going to give up!
You recently played Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, did you enjoy your time in the show?
I always absolutely love doing Sondheim and feel very lucky when a show comes along that I can fit into. I knew that it was going to be a high profile production with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton involved and Jonathan Kent directing, and from the first day there was an air of 'specialness' about it. The entire team were very talented and we worked like cogs in an amazing wheel. Both Chichester Festival Theatre and The Adelphi were beautiful venues to work in. Sweeney Todd is an immensely intense, but also humorous piece, and what the creative team did with it was genius. I feel very proud to have been a part of it.
When did you first decide you wanted to be become an actress?
When I was at school I wanted to be an artist and could always be found sketching and doodling, so art college was my initial goal. Then when I was 16 a friend invited me along to an amateur dramatic company one night and I was instantly hooked! My ambitions literally changed overnight. It just felt right.
What advice would you give to any aspiring actors?
You have to want it more than anything else, but you should always have a back-up plan for those 'out of work' periods! I did a secretarial course years ago that has stood me in good stead. Also, if you want to get training, take your time and really figure out what course is best for you. The college you go to often has an affect on what jobs you are seen for after you leave. There are many directions you can take within this business, and it's quite easy to get pigeon-holed and typecast. Do a showcase to help you get an agent. A good agent will listen to your needs and work with you to create the career you want. But most of all, remember you're doing this because you love it!
What roles have you got your eye on and would like to play in the future?
There are many fantastic roles out there, so if I had to narrow it down I guess it would be Fosca in Passion, Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, and just to throw a little Shakespeare in there, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.
Finally, what would you like to say to everyone who has supported you throughout your career?
My friends and family have always been amazingly supportive and without them I would never have had the career I have now. It's also always very encouraging when you get good feedback from audience members, it makes it all worthwhile!
Follow Gillian Kirkpatrick on Twitter: @gillkirk40
Chess runs at the Union Theatre from 13th February - 16th March 2013. The majority of the run is sold out but you can call the Box Office on 020 7261 9876 for tickets.
Untion Theatre's Website: www.uniontheatre.biz
Click here to read our recent interview with Christopher Howell who is currently directing Chess at the Union Theatre as well as playing Doctor Dillamond in Wicked
Keep up to date with the latest theatre news, reviews & interviews on Twitter: @West_End_Frame
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