Chess players get the opening moves just right

Review

A local production company in a professional theatre taking on a musical about US and Soviet chess rivalries during the Cold War, is certainly a brave move.

Chess is no ordinary musical, though. Like Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, the concept first appeared as an album in record shops (remember them?) before hitting the West End stage a couple of years later in 1986. Featuring the music of Benny and Bjorn from Abba and the lyrics of Tim Rice, Chess quickly became a big hit.

After their success with Sunshine on Leith and 9-5 at HMT in 2015, AOC Productions (formerly Aberdeen Opera Company) deserve credit for taking on this tougher project: Chess is a notoriously wordy, dark musical. Beginning a four-night run at HMT, the opening performance was a solid start for what is a lively production that draws authentically from the original script.

The musical revolves around a love triangle between the loutish American chess grandmaster Freddy played by Scott Jamieson, his coach Florence (Rachel Watson) and Anatoly (Gavin McKay), the Russian champion she falls for. The ancient board game, a metaphor for the icy relations between East and West, underpins the story, but Scott Jamieson makes his character entertaining and delivers his big number, Pity The Child, with style.

McKay’s Anatoly is terrific. With just the right Russian reserve to contrast well with the brash Yank, his vocals are very strong, but it is Rachel Watson’s Florence who shines, especially during I Know Him So Well, the Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson duet. Sure there are clichés, and some of the show’s characterisations feel a little dated, but that is down to the original rather than AOC’s treatment.

The cast support well as players, lovers, KGB and CIA types, delivering the pop score which engaged the healthy sized HMT audience throughout the night. In the absence of a touring budget, it is a good-looking show too. The set is sharp and simple, with angular lighting that adds mood and the orchestra are excellent. Costumes are perhaps a little flat, but there is nice choreography and director Judith Stephen deserves credit for a real feel of quality throughout what is a local production of a challenging show.

This is a warmer version of the original’s Cold War story that will heat up as the run goes on this week. With Tim Rice having announced that Chess is set to make its return to Broadway next year, AOC Productions may just be ahead of the game. A fine start.

Picture courtesy of Photography by Rhea Excellent performances by the cast of Chess last night.