A story about an underdog prevailing over the aristocracy, 'A New Way To Pay Old Debts' is a surprisingly modern take on a classic.

Presented by Brisbane Arts Theatre and directed by Ron Kelly, this version stars revered Australian stage and screen actor Steven Tandy. Playing the infamous villain Sir Giles Overreach, NIDA graduate Tandy brings his years of experience to the role.

Describe the show in 5 words?
Exciting, flashy, innovative, classic treasure.

What role do you play and how did you come to be involved?
I play Sir Giles Overreach, a true theatrical villain of the old tradition. He is cruel, vicious, domineering, scheming and ruthless. A total atheist. I came to be involved through my friend, Ron Kelly, who took on the role of Artistic Director of the Arts Theatre at the beginning of this year. He had known of this play and was anxious to inform theatre-goers that there had been other great playwrights of that day, besides Shakespeare and Marlowe.

What is your elevator pitch about the play?
The play concerns itself with high stakes — love, lust, death, ownership of property, social climbing, man's inhumanity to man, retribution, madness and rich, powerful language.

Do you think the play is still relevant and what kind of audience will this appeal to?
The play is absolutely and unequivocally still relevant, dealing with universal themes of corruption and power-seeking that still go on today. Any reasonably thoughtful and interested theatre-goer should find the play absolutely riveting.

Who is your favourite villain from literature/ film?
One of my most favourite villains in all film or literature would have to be the hideous character portrayed by Donald Sutherland in Bernardo Bertolucci's sprawling epic of fascism in Italy, '1900' (Cinque-Cento). Monstrous — a killer and a liar. Bill Sykes in 'Oliver!' also greatly affected me as a child.

Best line in the play and why?
One of my favourite lines in the play is where Sir Giles reveals his social inferiority and "nouveau-riche" aspirations when he says to his henchman, Marrall "'Tis a rich man's pride! There having ever been more than a feud, a strange antipathy, between us and true gentry."

What has your preparation for this role entailed?
My preparation for the role has entailed detailed, assiduous study of the text and a realisation that, as an actor, I can, for once, really 'let fly' with an acting technique that is vocally unrestrained and powerful. I have no doubt that Sir Giles Overreach is one of the greatest roles I have ever had the good fortune to portray in my 43 years of professional acting.

Any funny/ crazy/ weird behind-the-scenes stories?
I can't think of any particularly funny, weird or crazy 'behind-the-scene' stories as yet, but no doubt some will occur during our four-week run. It is a delightful cast, and a very comfortable, intimate space to play in.

Anything else our readers should know?
Just come along to the Arts Theatre and bathe in its unique charm and intimacy — it reminds me so much of the Genesian Theatre in Kent Street, Sydney, with its charming overhead little balcony.

What do you want audiences to say as they leave?
"Wow! That was great! I'm coming again!"

'A New Way To Pay Old Debts' Is running at The Brisbane Arts Theatre until August 24.