Chess

[n1david]

You'll need your fantasy and

[michalnowicki]

I will think about getting the cheap balcony seats, but would first have to see if there are other shows I would like to see in London in May.

[BurlyBeaR]

Nov 3, 2017 13:03:02 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Was interested that just as I was about to finalise, up popped a box from my card company, wanting an extra password...

guess that in the end they need a little bit more from me, more security.

I thank you.

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2017 13:08:07 GMT n1david said:

You'll need your fantasy and

You’re not going to believe this, but I actually KNOW the bloke on this card!!!! 

I know him so well...

(I don’t know whether I should admit to staring for ages and ages at Monkey’s post about security with all those likes, thinking “What can they see that I can’t?!?” No, I won’t admit it...)

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2017 14:33:52 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Nov 3, 2017 14:14:26 GMT @caiaphas said:

I know him so well...

Let me guess, you shared one night in Bangkok with him?

Alas no... that’s someone else’s story.


(You see what you’ve started now, dont you!)

[ali973]

I've been doing some Chess-studies now that I am comforted with my tickets. I've always known the music well and have had multiple cast recordings..but watching the Royal Albert Hall..jeez, that book is a mess. I think they must have had the right idea about turning it into a conventional book musical for Broadway (versus the rock opera London approach), but that didn't work either. I just feel that there needs to be more book scenes (or at least woven into some of the songs) to make it work.

Just some things I noticed that were off: Anatoly and Svetlana are having a business deal one minute over the mountain, and then in the next scene she is his lover as he is trying to get asylum through the British embassy. Then she sings Heaven Help My Heart (shouldn't it be HIS moment? He's the one going through the trauma?) and then immediately he sings Anthem. Love the songs, but these two show stoppers shouldn't be sung consecutively.

And I just realized that I have no idea what One Night In Bangkok actually says. I understand the words, but they absolutely make no sense to me at all. And please, I really hope I don't see this "orientalist" trope palms pressed against each other. I expect Lawrence O'Connor to do the right thing and be a bit more sensible.

[chess]

Nov 3, 2017 15:01:00 GMT ali973 said:

I've been doing some Chess-studies now that I am comforted with my tickets. I've always known the music well and have had multiple cast recordings..but watching the Royal Albert Hall..jeez, that book is a mess. I think they must have had the right idea about turning it into a conventional book musical for Broadway (versus the rock opera London approach), but that didn't work either. I just feel that there needs to be more book scenes (or at least woven into some of the songs) to make it work.

Just some things I noticed that were off: Anatoly and Svetlana are having a business deal one minute over the mountain, and then in the next scene she is his lover as he is trying to get asylum through the British embassy. Then she sings Heaven Help My Heart (shouldn't it be HIS moment? He's the one going through the trauma?) and then immediately he sings Anthem. Love the songs, but these two show stoppers shouldn't be sung consecutively.

And I just realized that I have no idea what One Night In Bangkok actually says. I understand the words, but they absolutely make no sense to me at all. And please, I really hope I don't see this "orientalist" trope palms pressed against each other. I expect Lawrence O'Connor to do the right thing and be a bit more sensible.

Tim Rice once said that the book is difficult and the audience has to be concentrated to follow everything. I have seen numerous productions everywhere, in theatre and even bootlegs of the Broadway version (the one I missed..). From a storytelling/theatrical view the Broadway version and the Stockholm version are the best. The Stockholm version is inspired on the New York version and more of a book musical then the original London version. I loved the Stockholm version, although it missed something of the pulse of the original version. And the Stockholm version has two fabulous songs, one of them which is probably Benny's best tune ever.
Having said that I don't agree with people saying that the book of the original London version is a mess. It's the fate of chess, everyone says the book is bad. But I wonder if those people have really studied the lyrics. Because it's all there. One of the points, which is also said above, is that Florence and Anatoly fall in love in one song and decide to run. That is simply not true. From the very start of the musical it's clear that Anatoly isn't happy with his life. From her very first scene it's clear Florence isn't happy with her ' relation'  with Freddy. Florence and Anatoly meet in the quartet scene where their affection of each other is made clear in the lyrics.  So the mountain duet comes hardly as a surprise. And even it would have been a surprise...I have fallen in Love with someone in a split second. That really happens every minute everywhere in this world.
No, the problem has never been the book, the problem has always been the direction. Trevor Nunn is a brilliant director, but he needed a 'real'  book, that's why he insisted on a rewrite for broadway. If Chess will find it's director, it will be a smash. I am convinced about that. Let's hope Laurance Connor is the man. I am hopeful, because the choreographer is highlighted and I am convinced there is only one solution for the London script: make it dance! Chess is not about a love affair, it's about people making moves towards each other,  using other people for their own purposes.

I love Chess and I am glad it's back with a full blown orchestra. Now let's hope Laurance 'got it' .

[Deleted]

As much as I’d like to see this, there’s no chance I’m parting with that kind of money for those seats.

[Tibidabo]

I've never seen it - it was on during my wild days, my mad existence...(ooops, wrong musical.) 
You'll think it strange (ok, ok ) but I wouldn't even consider booking at any price until I know who's in it. I hope there's someone I like as this is one I really do want to see. (Along with Westside Story, but maybe we won't go there right now.)

[musicalmarge]

Nov 4, 2017 16:48:25 GMT @tom89 said:

As much as I’d like to see this, there’s no chance I’m parting with that kind of money for those seats.

Just get front row balcony for 15 pounds! Easy! The view is good.

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2017 19:48:45 GMT musicalmarge said:

Nov 4, 2017 16:48:25 GMT @tom89 said:

As much as I’d like to see this, there’s no chance I’m parting with that kind of money for those seats.

Just get front row balcony for 15 pounds! Easy! The view is good.

I have very long legs unfortunately. If it weren’t for the restricted legroom I would have snapped those seats up, for sure.

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2017 21:23:31 GMT @kevinuk said:

Nov 4, 2017 20:52:24 GMT @tom89 said:

I have very long legs unfortunately. If it weren’t for the restricted legroom I would have snapped those seats up, for sure.

£15 further back isn’t bad actually. Good rake up there. Get in early and get an aisle... it’s cheaper than a bottle of vodka. Seatplan has quite a few pictures of views, you should check it out.

Thanks, I’ve spent a long time procrastinating over those reviews, that’s my trouble. I used to be indecisive but now I’m not so sure.

I do love seatplan, I’ll have another look.

[danb]

Ever thought of collating some actual photos of seat views Monkey? I know that some sites have the odd picture but something more encyclopaedic might be great!

[Someone in a tree]

After the recent TV show Ball and Bod would make a ‘great’ American and Russian ...

[daniel]

Nov 6, 2017 19:39:46 GMT danb said:

Ever thought of collating some actual photos of seat views Monkey? I know that some sites have the odd picture but something more encyclopaedic might be great!

have you seen seatplan.com danb? I tend to use @theatremonkey's site for his expert opinions, seat ratings and price charts, but Seat Plan is (generally) excellent for views from seats!

[danb]

Nov 7, 2017 10:30:42 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Nov 6, 2017 19:39:46 GMT danb said:

Ever thought of collating some actual photos of seat views Monkey? I know that some sites have the odd picture but something more encyclopaedic might be great!

Yes, but it's mostly forbidden to take photographs inside a theatre, and a breach of copyright law to do so. I refuse to steal from hard-working creative teams or damage the reputation of my website within the industry by infringing on legal rights. Where photos are legally available and it is permitted, I use them - and direct people to the genuine pictures (which most official theatre chain websites have, or will be getting very soon) that are available and authorised.

Beyond that, as many on here have said (and I have discussed at length with those in the industry), photos are often badly misleading, and sightlines change for every production anyway.

Best not to do that then...😱

[Someone in a tree]

Does anyone know how much the dress Circle slips are? I have emailed the box office but they can’t be bothered to respond

Please and ta

[Someone in a tree]

Cheers Monkey 😄

[db]

Oct 28, 2017 9:59:50 GMT @sharpe12 said:

Oct 28, 2017 9:56:51 GMT ali973 said:

Dom- I hear what you say. With Kerry, isn't "Wicked" her big role, being the first British Elphaba? It had a significant impact on her career and whatever fame she has now is directly linked two her original (and subsequent) stint in Wicked. Heck, it even took her to Broadway, a town with no shortage of singers who can sing quite like her.

Yup, I agree, so far that is her big role. And certainly what brought her to a wider public.
But it was a takeover in London from Idina of course.


I'd just LOVE her to get the chance to originate an incredible MT role!  

Working on that show as we speak Just need to find a big producer and we're good to go.

[filendile]

With Heaven on Earth cancelled now I bet Kerry has her eyes set on Chess!

[shady23]

Nov 7, 2017 10:30:42 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Nov 6, 2017 19:39:46 GMT danb said:

Ever thought of collating some actual photos of seat views Monkey? I know that some sites have the odd picture but something more encyclopaedic might be great!

Yes, but it's mostly forbidden to take photographs inside a theatre, and a breach of copyright law to do so. I refuse to steal from hard-working creative teams or damage the reputation of my website within the industry by infringing on legal rights. Where photos are legally available and it is permitted, I use them - and direct people to the genuine pictures (which most official theatre chain websites have, or will be getting very soon) that are available and authorised.

Beyond that, as many on here have said (and I have discussed at length with those in the industry), photos are often badly misleading, and sightlines change for every production anyway.

Plus what the view quality usually depends on most is how tall the person in front is!

[Scswp]

Nov 11, 2017 13:23:13 GMT filendile said:

With Heaven on Earth cancelled now I bet Kerry has her eyes set on Chess!

She’s really not a big enough name to sell the Coliseum, I don’t think. There would need to be big names for other parts if she is Florence. Sure she could sing the part, but as much as I like Ellis, I think her peak days are behind her now - both in terms of vocals and marketability.

[Being Alive]

Nov 11, 2017 21:05:20 GMT Scswp said:

Nov 11, 2017 13:23:13 GMT filendile said:

With Heaven on Earth cancelled now I bet Kerry has her eyes set on Chess!

She’s really not a big enough name to sell the Coliseum, I don’t think. There would need to be big names for other parts if she is Florence. Sure she could sing the part, but as much as I like Ellis, I think her peak days are behind her now - both in terms of vocals and marketability.

But if anything, she'd reprise Svetlana from the concert surely? 

[karloscar]

I would post the interview with Tim Rice from today's evening standard, but it told us absolutely nothing except that it will be a concert staging as suspected, and he regards the show as a corpse that's not quite dead. Nice! But it seems the cast is too awful/amazing to tell us about.

[ali973]

I beg of them not to have any dancers move as Chess pieces. It's been done- and it looks awful.

Just saw the video of the Swedish production. Very well done. They should just re-stage that in English.