Chess

This hugely demanding musical centres around two chess grandmasters, Freddie Trumper an American, and Anatoly Sergievsky a Soviet, fighting over a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.  Set in the cold war era within the context of world chess championships, Roland Russell and Peter Scally as Anatoly and Freddie brought contrasting characterisation to their roles and provided first class performances throughout.  The story of Chess was set well by the Arbiter, Colin Vincent, with the entire company.  Ray O’Sullivan portrayed a very convincing performance as KGB agent Alexander Molokov.  Colin Hyslop excelled as Walter De Courcey and Carly Slamin together with Kirsty Ross provided impressive performances as Florence and Svetlana.  All principals were well cast and together with the entire company, everyone rose to the challenge of this demanding musical score.  Special mention must be made Michael McCrossan for his creative and well timed graphics and video clips.  Although the company performed with great enthusiasm and conviction, I felt that the orchestra was over-zealous on occasions but that aside the show was well directed and choreographed.

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