Chess

‘Chess, the Musical’ presents a challenge to any company that decides to stage it, and Spennymoor Stage and Song accepted that challenge. This difficult show, written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson, former members of Abba, with Lyrics by Tim Rice, has a beautiful score with many melodic moments, challenging lyric lines and multiple harmonies.  Whilst these are beautiful for the audience to listen to, they can be incredibly difficult to master. Spennymoor Stage and Song, in their centenary year, rose to the challenge and presented a show in which every member of the cast was totally focused, and delivered one of the best renditions of the score I have heard, and a really professional performance.

The production team, led by Karen Butler, gave the production a simple, clean-cut performance with plenty of movement on stage whilst maintaining the intensity of the story.  Martyn Jones, Musical Director, was fully in control of the music, and enabled great interpretation and a very sympathetic orchestral accompaniment which enabled the voices to be clearly heard at all times throughout the performance.

The set beautifully, painted by Eric Hickson, was very authentic and effective, and give a great ambience to the stage and the lighting effects added to the mood and atmosphere of each scene. The choreography was beautifully performed, delivered by Yasmin Bowron, Stacy Thompson and Jayne Etherington.

Beverley Fishburn, as the Arbiter, gave a forceful performance and held the stage on her every appearance, while Malcolm Cooper, as Walter de Courcey, gave a spirited portrait of the brash TV reporter. Richard Butler, as Anatoly Sergievsky, was a joy in a role which suited him, and gave him the opportunity to show the range both in his acting and singing with his rendition of “Anthem”, captivating the audience and delivering a razor sharp interpretation of a difficult part.  He was well partnered with Helen Grainger as Florence Vassey, whose presence on stage and vocal ability impressed and delighted the audience as she delivered a first class performance. Ian Patterson, who played Frederick Trumper, gave a great performance and strong characterisation of the unstable volatile chess champion, as did Eric Hickson, as Alexander Molokov, who sang extremely well with excellent diction.  Susan Raper, as Svetlana Sergievsky, gave a great performance as Anatoly’s estranged wife, and sang “Someone Else’s Story” with passion and empathy.

One of the highlights was the duet between Florence and Svetlana “I Know Him So Well” which was sung beautifully, with excellent harmony, balance and dynamics.

No show is complete without its chorus, and Spennymoor Stage and Song sang and moved well, and certainly gave their all to what was a very accomplished production.
Well Done.

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