The Mystery of the Valkyrie | Rowan Chapman

The Fame Reporter interviewed Australian actor, Rowan Chapman. Rowan is currently starring as Dr Bauman in the return season of Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Valkyrie. The show is playing at the Playhouse Theatre, QPAC from 14 – 29 November.

Sherlock Holmes returns to the stage in The Mystery of the Valkyrie, a thrilling Australian production filled with mystery, intrigue and unexpected twists. As the legendary detective and Dr Watson set out to solve a mysterious death, the investigation leads them into a dangerous world of secrets, deception and a sinister plot that threatens countless lives.

We sat down with Queensland actor Rowan Chapman to chat about his role in The Mystery of the Valkyrie, what he loves about his character, the challenges of bringing this gripping mystery to life on stage, and more.

Welcome to The Fame Reporter, what can you tell us about Dr Bauman and his role in Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Valkyrie without giving away any of the mystery?
Lovely to chat with you! Dr. Bauman is a brilliant and passionate microbiologist which, given the time when the play is set, is a science already exploding with possibility during the second wave of the industrial revolution.

As you will see, not all the individuals who finance the causes of science have noble intentions and Bauman’s zeal for scientific advancement comes at a price… and that’s all I can give you, I’m afraid. Michael (our noble director) will kill me if I leak spoilers!

What was it about Dr Bauman and this production that initially drew you to the role?
Bauman is a man who is starting to witness a steadily escalating series of deadly consequences; all of which are undeniably related to the ‘devils deal’ he made in order to finance his research.

Characters in pressure cooker scenarios who are being forced to deal with the snowballing of their poor choices are always a hoot for an actor to play. Also, I like running around in costumes pretending to be people that I’m not, so that always helps.

How would you describe Dr Bauman’s relationship with Sherlock Holmes and the other characters caught up in the investigation?
Once bitten, twice shy. Bauman knows more than he is letting on and recognises that this makes him a valuable intelligence asset. Having now witnessed what has already transpired within the play, he knows that there are games within games at play, so no one is to be fully trusted except those closest to him. And even then, he isn’t sure.

The story is filled with intrigue, suspense and twists — what can audiences expect from this theatrical take on the Sherlock Holmes world?
Michael has written a devilish little mystery that has weaved a whole bunch of our favourite narratives and characters from across the Sherlock canon into an original story unique to this play. That means that someone who has never even picked up a Conan Doyle book in their life could sit next to the biggest Sherlock nerd there is and both would still be shocked and overjoyed by the show they see.

As for what to expect? Layer cakes and subterfuge. Let down your guard at your own peril, audience member. Nothing is off limits.

Sherlock Holmes has been brought to life countless times across film, television and theatre. What do you think makes The Mystery of the Valkyrie stand out?
Well, you’ve got the wonderful Eugene Gilfedder playing him for one, so you’re all spoiled as far as I’m concerned. Beyond that, you have Phil’s beautiful cinematic score, Craig’s insane media integration and these whirling, Escher-esque scene changes. Seriously, the set and the scene changes are their own show.

What is particularly exciting about performing a mystery like this live on stage, where the audience gets to experience the twists and turns alongside the characters?
You can feel the audience thinking and theorising as the play goes on. Likewise, you hear the gasps when the twists come. It’s also a real treat for us to deliver on catharsis for an audience, too.

There are some truly malevolent individuals in this play and it’s delicious to sense (even hear!) the smug joy of an audience seeing these characters taken to task!

You’ve worked extensively across film, television and theatre, including Ticket to Paradise, Peter Rabbit, NCIS: Sydney and A Few Good Men. What keeps drawing you back to the stage?
Employment, mostly! In all seriousness though, for me there is no greater challenge and reward for an actor than achieving ‘theatre fitness’. By fitness, I mean the level of mental dexterity, physicality and craft required to perform a play to its utmost capacity regardless of how your day has gone or how you feel about the last performance.

‘Set Fitness’ is definitely a thing, as Film and TV necessitate long and bizarre hours which still require discipline and craft. But for me nothing really beats ‘theatre fit’.

How does your approach to a role change when you’re performing live compared with acting for the camera?
I think it’s all about finding the best way of telling a story for the medium you’re in. I tend to think of it in terms of ‘what size shot am I in?’. On set, the camera lens is usually half way up your nose, the boom guy is usually just out of shot to your left munching on a sandwich and every micro-expression of your face is being scrutinised. It’s personal, close and contained.

In the theatre, the camera lens (i.e. audience) is essentially all the way up the back of the house shooting the stage in a giant wide shot. So you have to say to yourself ‘Right. I still have to tell a story.’ That hasn’t changed. But if the ‘camera lens’ is all the way back there and I am down here in this massive wide shot, what changes do I need to make physically and vocally to ensure that that camera up there can still understand the story I’m telling down here?

The essence of transitioning between film and theatre craft and it can be real crunch of creative gears as you reacquaint yourself with that critical balance of believability and stage presence.

As a Queensland actor and QUT acting graduate, what is it like bringing this production to QPAC and performing for a Brisbane audience?
I have watched several of my cast mates over the years in shows that were seminal in my choice to train and act professionally, so the fact that I am now working with them makes this incredibly fulfilling. Likewise, to know I have teachers and mentors in the audience is both humbling and brings me great joy.

I don’t think you ever stop trying to make your teachers proud! From a local perspective, most people I have worked with know me as the twit who enjoys cycling to and from rehearsals and performances.

Something I really relish on show days is zooming down the front of Mt Coot-tha on my Trek and onto the River Loop during the golden hours of a Brissy sunset as I head into QPAC for call time. Unless it’s raining. Then it’s absolute rubbish (the ride, I mean, not the show).

What 3 performers dead or alive would you love to have a dinner party with?
David Wenham – My lifelong idol. Bloke is one of the most talented actors of his generation, a humble and chilled out dude and I don’t think he’d care if I used Aldi sausages for a BBQ.

David Wenham – My lifelong idol. Bloke is one of the most talented actors of his generation, a humble and chilled out dude and I don’t think he’d care if I used Aldi sausages for a BBQ.

Andrew Scott – Dude is operating on a different level. Seriously, watch him work. As a bonus, he doesn’t discriminate between high or low art and remains a humble, humble man. I reckon we’d chat about Chekhov and hiking.

Cate Blanchett – The woman is an acting titan. One of the absolute best to tread the boards, a wealth of knowledge and an actor’s actor. The anecdotes and stories she’d have….! Also, I reckon she’d offer to bring something posh for dessert.

Finally, if you had to channel Sherlock Holmes for a day, what mystery from your own life would you ask him to solve?
How on earth 10-year old boys still manage to drop half their dinner all over the floor even when leaning over a plate.