Chloe Hits the Big Time

Chlöe grew up in Truro, Cornwall. She moved to Guildford in 2006 where she trained at the Guildford School of Acting on the BA Musical Theatre course, graduating July 2009

In Hairspray it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air.

Chloe Hart is the envy of the recently graduated world. Fresh out of Guildford drama school, she has landed her first ever lead role, and what a place to start.
As Hairspray’s Tracy Turnblad, Chloe is living the dream. Following in the footsteps of 2008 Olivier Award winning Leanne Jones, she brings the West End’s big is beautiful heroine to life.

Oozing with confidence, Chloe  embodies the exuberance of the theatrical world. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing for her, I can hardly believe that this award winning singer has survived on a handful of comedy cameos up to now.

“I’ve never had a lead role. I’ve always been the little comedy cameo. I’d think, ‘Ok I’ve only got about three or four lines but I’m going to make it a bigger role than it is and carry the character through into other scenes’ and stuff like that. But not stealing the scenes.” She insists with a cheeky smile.

Struggling against the slimline stereotype so beloved of casting directors, Chloe admits that her size has been a worry.  “I’ve always had doubts because of the way I look whether I would struggle to get roles.”  But adamant that she could remain true to herself and her West End dream, Chloe leapt at the chance to grab the lead in her favourite musical, Hairspray.  

“There were other girls who could play Tracy, there were loads at the auditions but in my heart I knew I could do it.”

“I think I’m a really positive person and that came across.. At the audition they could see how much I wanted it and how much I’d give my heart and soul to do it. It’s not a role you can take lightly, you’ve got to give 150% to it and I think they saw that from me in the auditions.”

Chloe has taken the daunting jump from comedy bit part to West End heroine in her stride.

“To come straight into this was very daunting. But because she’s a role that I know I can connect with it and hasn’t been too scary. At drama school I never felt like a dancer because of all the leggy girls who could kick their legs past their heads but now with all the fun and cutesy dance routines in Hairspray I really feel like a dancer too. It’s probably to do with Tracy, she’s just so confident”

Chloe lights up the stage at the Shaftesbury theatre from the very first scene. Though 1960s racial segregation and physical prejudice are central to the show, her perfect blend of comedy and charisma has you in stitches and tears all at once.

Starring alongside Brian Conley and her new Link Larkin, the gorgeous, Liam Tamne, Chloe is  the most contented graduate in theatreland.  

“Brian Conley is a dream! He’s like a daddy except he’s my mummy in this. Liam, my new Link, and I have become best friends. We hit it off straight away and the first time we did the kiss in rehearsals it just wasn’t even an issue. He just makes it so easy for me.”

But what does the future hold for the young actress who is pulling in the crowds in her first ever lead?

Worried that after Tracy, the only available space for a larger actress in the West End is back in the shadows of slimmer stars, Chloe has drawn  inspiration from her ‘never say die’ Tracy alter ego, setting her sights on more lead roles.

"Scaramouche and Elphaba in We Will Rock You and Wicked are two of the most fantastic female roles, other than Tracy. It would be a dream to even have the chance to audition for those. I know that looks wise it’s not something that people would necessarily see as normal but I think that with both the roles, they’re both meant to be different and they’re meant to be outcasts so why couldn’t they be slightly podgy? Fiyero could fall in love with her even though she’s green and a little bit chubby?”

“It depends on whether people want to break the barrier and take a risk. It’s up to the producers and the casting directors whether they want to take that risk or not.”

When Chloe stands on stage at Shaftesbury Theatre, I am filled with the belief that this is just the start of something big. I look forward to seeing her in green.

 Abi Mowbray

Categories

• entertainment
• Chloe Hart. Hairspray
• West End Musical

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