Chess was conceived by the
legendry Tim Rice back in 1979 inspired by the 1972 World Chess
Championships between American Bobby Fischer and Russian Boris
Spasky with a concept of using International Chess to represent
‘The Cold War’.
Rice’s former writing
partner Andrew Lloyd Webber was too busy with other projects, so
step forward those intrepid writers from legendry super group ABBA
Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and the writing team was formed,
although it took until 1984 before the concept album was released,
spawning to hit singles, ‘One Night in Bangkok’ and the number
one ‘I know him so well.’
Chess finally took to the
stage in 1986 where it started a three-year run and also had a
spell on Broadway, albeit in a slightly changed format to appease
the American market.
The Kirkcaldy Amateur
Operatic Society dates back to 1907 and they have a list of past
shows that is impressive to say the least, so I was looking
forward to seeing one of my favourite musicals being performed by
a company of such standing.
With tickets like gold dust,
we took our place in the packed Adam Smith Theatre to witness the
spectacle it undoubtedly would be. First impressions, the set was
spectacularly designed and built and was used to the full,
sometimes over full, by the entire cast. Why is it that too many
amateur productions seem to want to pack the stage with a cast of
thousands when far, far less would do? It certainly limits
movement, choreography and can be distracting.
The story starts with the
crowds arriving in Merano, an Italian town staging the1985 World
Chess Championship between defending champion Freddy Trumper,
Bobby Mitchell, and Russian challenger Anotoly Sergiesvsky,
Michael McFarlane together with their various entourages, Florence
Vassy, Deirdre McFarlane, Trumpers lover and chess playing second,
Walter De Courcey, Clark Graham, as TV Mogul and Head of American
Delegation and Alexander Molokov, Sinclair Ross, Head of the
Russian Delegation.
Trying to keep the warring
factions in order is the arduous task that falls to the Arbitor,
Stuart Brand, and the stage is set for act one. Various tantrums,
dramas and revelations are enacted bringing the championship to a
close. Excellent musical numbers such as Merano, Someone else’s
story, Mountain Duet and Anthem are featured in 1985.
Act two starts with the
circus moving on to Bangkok for the 1986 championships. Most of
the same protagonists are present, although many have slightly
different roles, and with the addition of Svetlana Sergiesvskaya,
Monica Holland, as Anatoly estranged wife the plot thickens.
Featured numbers such as You
and I, Heaven Help My Heart, I Know Him So Well, Pity the Child
and a rather disappointing version of One Night in Bangkok keep
the company, soloists and audience interested as we are led to the
inevitable Endgame.
Each of the principals gives
a more than competent performance, but are all put slightly in the
shade by the magnificent voice of Michael McFarlane. I’m not
sure he needed to be miked to fill the auditorium and out perform
the excellent and enthusiastic orchestra led by musical director
Tom Wright. His performance was worth the admission money alone.
Unfortunately, Chess no
longer seems to be in vogue within ‘the business’ in the UK,
but for an extremely ‘professional’ amateur version of what is
a splendid musical, this production would be hard to beat.
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