Triple X
Image: Glace Chase & Josh McConville. Photo: Rene Vaile
Triple X is the latest work which will continue upon Sydney Theatre Company’s recent queer bent, following the highly successful Australian Premiere of Fun Home in May. Written by and starring NYC-based, two-time Griffin Award-winner Glace Chase Triple X, is a deep dive into the unknowable contours of attraction.
“I was born in Australia and till at least pre-COVID I was based in New York and worked in the nightlife scene in mostly straight venues,” Chase tells us. “At the time I was transitioning, and of course started to have a lot of romantic liaisons along the way, this play came about as a commentary on some of those liaisons.”
“Triple X is about a straight Wall Street bro, who has an affair with a trans performer, and it’s about his family finding out the day before he gets married.”
Recently announced as a finalist for the prestigious international playwriting award, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Triple X is the first performance of its kind to feature a trans love story at the heart of its narrative,
“As far as we know, this is the first trans love story to ever hit a main-stage in the world, at least one which is written by a trans person as well,” Chase explains before adding, “trans people being allowed to tell their stories and giving them a platform on this scale is huge. It’s an honour and quite intimidating to be a representative of the community and to tell me story at such a high level.”
Ultimately, Triple X is art imitating life, a detailing of Glace’s personal experience of a love affair she had with a straight Wall Street banker in New York.
“It’s written from the perspective of the straight Wall Street bro, he’s definitely the lead and that was a conscious choice by me, because in a way, his is the more dramatic story – the one with more conflict.
“His journey, his story has never been told. It’s kind of obvious to feel sorry for the trans girl. But what about those that are romantically interested in trans women, they are still treated as freaks and a bit of laughing stock. Let’s not go overboard with our sympathy, but also let’s acknowledge the depth of transphobia and the way that plays out.
“Trans women are a worthy love interest, being into us romantically doesn’t mean you’re a freak, you should be afforded some respect.”
Triple X opens in July at Sydney Theatre Company’s home at the Wharf, Walsh Bay. Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
