Arts Award Review: Fionnuala Cassidy
Fionnuala went to see Chess at the Hinckley Concordia Theatre.
Overall, Unlike the cold,
calculating game of chess, this production was full of emotion, with a love
triangle within the battle of communism versus capitalism.
I watched this with my
Grandad and he really enjoyed the
interplay of international politics within a sporting contest between the
representatives of the two superpowers. Afterwards he talked about his memories
of that time and the clash of celebrities. These were the superstars of their
day and in 1972, the second game of the world championship was given away
because one of the player's further demands were not met. This was represented
well in the musical.
I disliked the fact that
the orchestra was playing slightly too loud, drowning out weaker voices of some
of the supporting cast.
The musical numbers were a great surprise, with excellent voices from the
principal performers. It showed just what can be achieved by a collaboration
between music theatre legend Tim Rice of Jesus Christ Super Star fame and pop sensations
Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA. Beautiful lyrics and haunting
melodies - One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well being just two.
The principals dominated the stage and presented a great contrast - a
loutish American Grandmaster, a serious Russian Grandmaster. Also they
projected the multi-layered story of three battles taking place - the battle
between American and Russian masters on the board, their personal fight over
the same woman and, behind it all, the ever-present manipulation by the
superpowers.
I personally think that the simple set worked well with a raised platform
for the chess matches, and the players wearing the chess colours of the
pieces...black vs white. The idea of the
players and woman being mere pawns, political advisors, police and coaches as
larger influential pieces and USA and USSR as the powerful Kings/Queens was a
great message.
