Chess (UK Tour)

Florence Vassy-Shona White
Anatoly Sergievsky-Daniel Koek
Freddie Trumper-James Fox
Alexander Molokov-Steve Varnom
Walter deCourcey-James Graeme
Svetlana Sergievsky-Poppy Tierney
The Arbiter-David Erik

I've written about my love for the Tim Rice/Bjorn Ulvaeus/Benny Andersson piece Chess before. It's had a troubled history, and following the Royal Albert Hall concert in 2008 starring Idina Menzel, Josh Groban and Adam Pascal, Craig Revel-Horwood has taken on the piece on a UK tour.

Chess is the story of a chess match played between a Russian and an American during the Cold War. The political unease between the two countries is exacerbated when a love triangle springs up when Florence Vassy, the English but Hungarian born second of the American Freddie Trumper, falls for the married Russian Anatoly Sergievsky. Politics and love entwin as the piece continues.

The most obvious difference between this production and any others is the fact that this is an actor-musician piece, with almost all the cast playing an instrument in addition to acting. The entire ensemble were wonderfully talented; dancing, singing and playing instruments amazingly well, in intricate costumes designed by Christopher Woods.

As for the principal cast, Shona White has a wonderful voice, singing big numbers like 'Nobody's Side' with ease. Some of her actions did verge into being slightly over-the-top; there were a lot of hand gestures and her despair at the end of the piece did seem a bit forced. Daniel Koek faced a similar problem; fine singing, with a lovely 'Anthem' at the end of Act One, but a little too much arm-waving and running around-especially in 'Where I Want to Be'-although this could be direction as opposed to his choice. However, I think that Revel-Horwood's interpretation made Florence and Anatoly's relationship difficult to sell. With the ending removing the key plot twist and having Anatoly seemingly return to his wife pretty easily, and with Florence and Freddie's relationship played up during 'The Deal' and 'Endgame', the importance of this central relationship seemed wholly diminished, and it made it seem as though Anatoly was acting on instruction, and Florence in order to just annoy Freddie.

Speaking of Freddie, the show is totally stolen by James Fox. His 'Pity the Child' is jaw-dropping. Generally, I don't emphasise much with this character, but his almost breakdown by the end of the show had me feeling for him far more than for Florence or Anatoly. David Erik as the Arbiter is also very good, his character is a bit weird, but his stage presence was brilliant, as was his ability to do the splits was quite fantastic.

Other fine support is given by Steve Varnom and James Graeme as the KGB/CIA agents. Poppy Tierney as Svetlana has a pretty voice, but is (again) victim to being a little over the top in her acting.

However overall I had a really good night. Hearing my favourite score live was really great, and having the somewhat rare chance of seeing this show in a professional surronding was a chance that I simply could not pass up.

(Chess will next be seen in Norwich, Plymouth and Milton Keynes. More information avaliable here)