Mobile Chess

16th November 2010 - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.

And so, on a wintery evening, it fell to Tamsin to travel as a lone fairy to Southampton once more to take in the touring production of Chess. Not completely alone, but without a fairylike chum.  Karina has to wait until it hits the theatrical heights of the Southend Cliffs Pavillion, but our memories not being what they once were - a review will be written now with amendments to follow - this before it fades.


So, Chess.  Karina is the expert here, being able to sing the entire score without accompaniment... but as she hasn`t yet had the joy - I will do my best to be accurate.  I love to see shows I know back to front, but there is something utterly exciting about a first viewing.  I saw Chess many donkeys years ago as a youngster with Dame Elaine in the West End, and recall being bored rigid.  I think.  From what I can remember - which isn`t much really.  Of course I am familiar with a lot of the score - the lyrics to I Know Him So Well are burned into my brain as a child of the 80's, when I believe it was number one for at least 3 years.  So between listening to back to back Duran albums it seeped into my subconscious and will remain one of my faves.  And Dame Elaines furry hat will never be forgotten despite it being somewhat Eastern European in contrast with her role.  I know Anthem of course, and had it on repeat only this year thanks to the lovely Josh Groban. Someone Elses Story, Nobodys Side, One Night in Bankok, Pity the Child - all musical theatre treats.  And  familiar to a listener* of Dame EP`s Sunday radio egofest (*albeit reluctant - She is ANNOYING and LUVVY in the extreme, but who else plays the theatre tooooooons??? ) 

Therefore, I was fully prepared to love the score - and I did.  I have already ordered the CD to howl along to in the car.  I have to say though - the RAH version was lovely, musically stirring (apart from Idina being a bit irritating) and Joshtastic, but visually a bit ......dull?  That absolutely, categorically with a cherry on top CANNOT be said of this production!  From the LED infused perspex set to the live video streaming, to the Ann Summers inspired costumes of the unfeasably talented emsemble, this is kitsch of the highest order.  As a non- afficionado, I am never entirely sure who the arbiter is (a chess judge?) but am reasonably certain he isn`t normally attired like an extra from Blakes 7. FABULOUS.  It was hard to beleive the emsemble were actually playing all the instruments as well as singing, dancing, and generally being amazing. 

The leads were all good - Daniel Kroek as the Russian was a little wooden, and I'm not sure how authentic the nipple ring was - bit I liked his singing, despite him not milking Anthem NEARLY enough. Now Josh knows how to milk Anthem.  And he has prettier hair.
Shona White was great as Florence, the meat in a Grandmaster sandwich if you will, with a voice very remeniscent of La Dickson - all good in my book. Her duet with Svetlana was close-your-eyes fantastic.  But the standout performance was James Fox as Freddie.  Not a likable character, but he had me definitely on his side.  The acoustic version of Pity the Child - just him and a guitar... one word - Spellbinding.  Karina and I were so excited to hear he was perfoming in this production, having seen, well - heard him, at the Apollo Victoria 80th Birthday Gala in October.  Unfortunately, we didn`t see him as we were stuck behind the Wicked staircase in the cheep seats.  Couldn`t pick him out of a line-up. But boy, we heard him.     He sang a Billy Joel medley from the musical "Movin' Out" - and WOW.  Sing me a song, piano man.... la la la....
So I knew he could sing.  But he really was heartwrenching as well as hateful as Freddie, and I`m not ashamed to say I let out an audible snort/sob combo during Pity the Child. Pity indeed.
So all in all??  Loved it.  Loved it.  Loved it.

Far more entertaining than real chess, but that may be partly because I have no idea how to play. 
I'm sure its riveting - but give me a musical any day.
Fairy signing out.