Described as “a story of love and redemption”, Hopelessly Devoted runs at the Tricycle Theatre until Saturday 19th April following a successful UK Tour.
Chess is in prison. Facing a lengthy sentence, her cell mate, Serena, becomes her soul mate. But when Serena is given parole, Chess faces total isolation.
Hope comes in the form of a music producer looking for a reason to love music again. She finds a powerful voice in Chess. But to harness her talent, Chess must first face her past.
Hope comes in the form of a music producer looking for a reason to love music again. She finds a powerful voice in Chess. But to harness her talent, Chess must first face her past.
Cat is best known for playing DC Kezia Walker in The Bill. On stage she starred as Nancy in the national touring production of Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver.
Her theatre credits also include: Billie Holiday in Lightning Child (Shakespeare's Globe), Witch in Macbeth (Shakespeare's Globe), Decade (Headlong) and Simone in Been So Long (Young Vic).
Her theatre credits also include: Billie Holiday in Lightning Child (Shakespeare's Globe), Witch in Macbeth (Shakespeare's Globe), Decade (Headlong) and Simone in Been So Long (Young Vic).
I recently spoke to Cat about why she loves Kate Tempest’s work, working alongside an all-female cast and creative team, and why playing Nancy in Oliver was a dream come true…
Have you enjoyed your time touring in Hopelessly Devoted?
Yes, it’s been an experience! I’ve never toured one-night venues before. I guess it’s a bit like being a rock star, but without the glamour [laughs]. It’s been amazing! For me it’s down to Kate’s (Tempest) writing, she’s done a blinder. The story, the lyrical elements to the songs and the characters are genius.
When you first came across the piece, what initially stood out for you?
Kate, she is so talented. I had a conversation with her when we were rehearsing and I asked her “Where does it come from? Were you born with it?” and she just said “Yes”! I met her years ago when we were working on a film. I had to shadow her because I was playing an MC and she wrote my verses for me. Even back then people were like “Who is this girl?!” So I was attracted to the piece because of Kate and then I read it and realised it has a lot of heart. It has a point to say without being too political.
What journey can someone who knows nothing about the piece expect to be taken on whilst watching Hopelessly Devoted?
It’s one of those plays where so much happens but the questions are left unanswered. The resistance to the goal Chess works towards says that sometimes you’ve just got to do something, no matter what happens. Chess overcomes a lot of obstacles and so does Serena, her soul mate who she meets in prison and the music producer who comes in and helps Chess rediscover her love for music. People can expect lyrical fireworks, beautiful relationships, to be moved, to laugh and to enjoy themselves! God – we had audience participation the other night [laughs]! It was quite funny! They were so moved and felt like they had to say something! People can expect a really fun night out and Kate’s writing speaks for itself. I mean, anybody who has been to see a Kate Tempest play knows they will be on their feet at the end. Her writing is so new and fresh.
What’s the dynamic like with just three of you in the cast?
We’ve got an all-female creative team and an all-female cast – we get on like a house on fire! We’re all very honest, strong women and we all respect each other. A sense of humour is always good when you’ve got a gruelling schedule, we have a laugh!
The Tricycle is a more intimate theatre, how do you find performing in a smaller space?
On the tour we’ve been playing to 180 one night and then just 50 the next night. I’ve played in small spaces before and I don’t mind it because whatever space you’re in you do the same show, although you can definitely feel the difference in the audience. It almost feels like the audience are sitting on the fringes of the wall and they are imposing on somebody’s life – I think that’s nice. The Tricycle Theatre is a lot bigger than some of the smaller venues we’ve played on the tour. As an audience member I love going to different sized spaces just for the experience.
One role which will always stand out on your CV is, of course, Nancy in Oliver. How does it feel to now look back on the experience?
It was on my wish list! I wrote a list when I was ten and Nancy was on it, so when I received the phone call asking me to come in and audition for Cameron I was like “Yes! Just tell me when! I’ll be there!” It was amazing to work on something that scale, Cameron holds back no punches. Everything was made especially for me, it was a dream come true. It’s a beautiful piece. I love the songs, funnily enough my favourite was ’Oom-Pah-Pah’, I loved dancing around the stage and having a laugh with the company. It was great fun to play such a feisty, strong woman who was ‘hopelessly devoted’ [laughs] to this horrible man! There’s always a man – Chess is in prison because she murdered her husband who used to abuse her. It was wonderful and I loved every minute in Oliver. I love Cameron and the team to bits, they are like family now!
People also know you from your screen work, not all actors manage to keep a balance between stage and screen work. Is that something which is important to you?
I’ve always done everything – I’ve always been able to sing, dance and act. My parents had no choice, bless their hearts! I did my first TV when I was ten and I always have kept that balance. It’s like being in a sweet shop; you get to pick and choose what you want to do. I always look for new work and something that’s going to push me.
Finally, it must be so nice to have so much support behind you?
It’s lovely! It’s really nice. We’re there to entertain and to tell a story and give people some time away from their own lives. I’m the same, I’m a massive fan of Andy Scott and I’ll go and see anything he does. I think the arts are an important part of our lives. Support is so nice because actors are always self-deprecating aren’t they! It’s lovely when someone other than your mum tells you how good you are [laughs]!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Hopelessly Devoted runs at the Tricycle Theatre until Saturday 19th April 2014.
Please visit www.tricycle.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Please visit www.tricycle.co.uk for further information and tickets.
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