Checkmate

New Works Festival | 25th February | 7pm | QMU Venue

It’s 2007. The whole term has been building to this moment; the end of year chess tournament, as hosted by the ever-glamorous, somewhat-going-through-it PE teacher extraordinaire, Coach Penk. Year on year, the competition is won by school bully, Hector Von Braun. But this year, 14-year-old newcomer, Benny, has to overcome great odds to show that, at the end of the day, all you need to be a real winner is friendship. And maybe Pokémon.

‘Checkmate’ is a fun, light-hearted play which explores ideas of companionship, isolation, and the external pressures faced by young people. It’s the most dynamic game of chess you’ll ever see.

click here to watch the recording!

Production team

Co-Writer/ Co-Director: Nathan Harris

Co-Writer/ Co-Director: George Rogers

Co-Writer/ Co-Director: Sophie Gattis

Production Manager: Mia Rinaldi

cast

Hector: Jonas Leipner

Coach Penk: Johnny Voy

Benny: Lewis Cooper

crew

Stage Manager: Morven Vivers

Lighting Technician: Ines Oliviera

Sound Technician: Eleanor Latimer-Marsh

Poster Designer: Sophie Gattis