"Chess"- the review

Have you ever sat through a performance where you cringe for the performers? Well I did tonight!

“’Her indoors” & I went to Chess and yes, it was the crap Broadway version as I feared. Performed by Cincinnati Music Theatre, who did a wonderful job with a flawed gem. The Broadway version is a convoluted if not conceited version of the original concept version of Bjorn Ullvaeus, Benny Anderson & Tim Rice.

Y’see, I was ruined years ago in relation to this show! I had seen the original version when it went on tour with Elaine Paige as Florence & Barbara Dickson as Svetlana. Then, a few years later, our own Wexford Light Opera Society did a superb and may I say World Class production, comparable to the West End production! It (the Wexford version) was theatrically stunning and the set design of the Redmond Brothers was simply incredible, let alone the musical direction & the choreography.

Back to CMT, they resurrected a show albeit the “arrrgh!” version and did a grand job of staging it. Bob Weidle, a former colleague of ours, playing the part of "Molokov" was wonderful. The part of Florence played by a lass rejoicing in the name of Alison Collins Elfline was a sterling performance whilst the part of Svetlana played by Kelsey McKelfresh (what a name, eh?) was a show-stopper, a wonderful singer! The principal male characters being outperformed by their female counterparts

All the cast were enthusiastic & capable. In fairness they did a great job with a book that was allegedly butchered by Richard Nelson at the behest of Trevor Nunn. (My opinion and I am entitled to it!). I just wish The American people could see Chess as it was intended.

I understand though that a contractual stipulation ensures that the London version, which to many fans was the source of the show's popularity and appeal, will (at this moment in time) never be seen in the United States.

It is a real pity as in this Broadway version;

• The whole plot is totally goofed up, arse over tit in favour of a more sugary taste to its American audience – When will this patronization of the paying public end on either side of the Atlantic pond and let them see a show the way it was originally written! As a result,

• The wonderful “Merano” is axed as the setting is now set between Thailand & Hungary (???) as opposed to Italy & Iceland (neutral venues).

• The Arbiter’s role now stripped back to essentially a walk-on with some “dialogue”. In the concept/original version, his opening number opens essentially Act 1 and is a great piece of theatre. The essential premise of the show musically, two acts, book-ended by 4 terrific musical pieces is thrown to the dogs in return for a cop out vis a vis the plot.

• Again the whole show is unbalanced as the prologue instead of being a choral piece is now an insipid lecture by Flo’s daddy as the Russians are invading Budapest…

• The wonderful defection scene in the British consulate (Embassy laments) chopped off as The Russian now defects tadaaa! to the states. Therefore the plot just falls flat on its big fat arse!

• The opener of Act 2, the brilliant “One night in Bangkok” is demoted to Act 1, diluting Act 2 and unbalancing the show dreadfully. “ONIB” is a high energy, pacy number, clearly an act opener not a filler scene.

• And of course the Yank wins when he is a total & utter jerk with no redeeming qualities when the whole point of the original book is that The American loses and redeems himself somewhat by coming to the aid of the (now British Citizen Russian, follow me, you’ll get there!) when he is confronted by the Molokov protégé automaton ….Think of Drago v Rocky in Rocky 4!

I could go on but I’ll stop here. I enjoyed the Cast and the production. They are clearly a committed bunch of people who clearly love their art and are to be congratulated for producing the show. They are a treasure in the community, bringing great talent to the public at an affordable price.

The main thing is that the missus enjoyed the evening and was pleased to see her old pal Bob do so well in the show.

If you want to find out more about Cincinnati Music Theatre,
Go here: http://www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org/

Wexford Light Opera Society, go here: http://www.wlos.org/

P.S. The new Indian restaurant in Eastgate , "Apna India" is the Dog's Bolli*...