Chess

[d'James]

May 31, 2018 21:43:38 GMT anthony40 said:

Did anyone else think this had the potential to be a film musical?

The songs could be amazing on the big screen. The plot, possibly, but not this version of it.

[Deleted]

At the risk of exposing myself as a total Chess noob, what would be the most definitive (preferably not live) cast recording of this to buy? I like the “original recording” remastered version on iTunes but it isn’t complete, particularly there is no recording of “Nobody’s Side” which Cassidy smashed and gave me goosies! Thanks in advance

[thenightowl]

Jun 1, 2018 8:05:51 GMT @tom89 said:

What would be the most definitive (preferably not live) cast recording of this to buy?

There's a complete cast recording in English based on the Danish tour from 2001 which features the amazing Zubin Varla. However I'm not really sure where you can get it from. I can't see it listed on Dress Circle or SoundOfMusic.de, you may get lucky finding a second hand copy on Amazon or something like that.

Here's a link to the CD on discogs: www.discogs.com/Various-Chess-Complete-Cast-Album/release/2801097

[Someone in a tree]

Great section to this thread, I’ve thought wondered about each recording

The Compelte recording is VERY expensive, I listen to it via YouTube.

Im really not sure which is my favourite version because it does not exist. I like multiple ones for different reasons

[Oleanna]

Jun 1, 2018 8:05:51 GMT @tom89 said:

At the risk of exposing myself as a total Chess noob, what would be the most definitive (preferably not live) cast recording of this to buy? I like the “original recording” remastered version on iTunes but it isn’t complete, particularly there is no recording of “Nobody’s Side” which Cassidy smashed and gave me goosies! Thanks in advance

I’m not sure what you mean, Nobody’s Side is certainly on the original recording under the title “The American and Florence/Nobody’s Side”.

[dazzlair]

Jun 1, 2018 9:29:28 GMT Oleanna said:

Jun 1, 2018 8:05:51 GMT @tom89 said:

At the risk of exposing myself as a total Chess noob, what would be the most definitive (preferably not live) cast recording of this to buy? I like the “original recording” remastered version on iTunes but it isn’t complete, particularly there is no recording of “Nobody’s Side” which Cassidy smashed and gave me goosies! Thanks in advance

I’m not sure what you mean, Nobody’s Side is certainly on the original recording under the title “The American and Florence/Nobody’s Side”.

The Danish cast recording is probably my favourite, mostly because it's the most complete and also due to Emma Kershaw's incredible belting. Her Nobody's Side really takes it up a notch - that scream in the middle gets me everytime: 

[anthem]

[d'James]

They should release an EP (not Elaine Paige) of this Cast singing some of the songs from this show.

[anthony40]

Jun 1, 2018 13:17:07 GMT anthem said:

Oooh, Lederhosen #envy

[d'James]

Jun 1, 2018 16:11:58 GMT anthony40 said:

Jun 1, 2018 13:17:07 GMT anthem said:

Oooh, Lederhosen #envy

Tell me about it!

[Deleted]

Has this done well at the box office then?

[sf]

Jun 1, 2018 16:11:58 GMT anthony40 said:

Jun 1, 2018 13:17:07 GMT anthem said:

Oooh, Lederhosen #envy

"Of anything they could've chosen/Why do they wear lederhosen?"

Oh, wait. Wrong 80s musical.

[Deleted]

Jun 1, 2018 17:25:07 GMT stagey said:

Has this done well at the box office then?

...box office/schmox office... some of us LOVED it! 

[anthony40]

Just to digress (ever so on the Lederhosen thing) just over a year ago I went to visit some friends in In Bonn, Germany and tried on my first pair. Extremely comfy! When my sister saw the photo the first thing she said was "You've been wanting to wear a pair of those ever since you saw that kid in The Sound of Music".

My response to that "Eat your your heart out Kurt von Trapp!

Reading into that what you will folks.

Now, back to the Chess.

[latefortheoverture]

God, I hate myself for not getting round to see this.... life takes over sometimes but I'm sure there's many more great productions in theatreland to look forward to in the coming years.

[fiyero]

I have just bought a day seat for this afternoon so my original ticket (balcony row b in the middle) is going spare if anyone wants it!

[tommy]

Any news yet on next year's musical at the ENO?

[waybeyondblue]

Jun 2, 2018 13:08:32 GMT tommy said:

Any news yet on next year's musical at the ENO?

Tonight’s The Night starring the Balls as Rod and Alfie as the leopard skin pants.

[jgblunners]

Jun 2, 2018 13:08:32 GMT tommy said:

Any news yet on next year's musical at the ENO?

An interview in the Chess programme suggests that Tim Rice wants it to be Aida.

[sf]

Jun 2, 2018 13:33:05 GMT jgblunners said:

Jun 2, 2018 13:08:32 GMT tommy said:

Any news yet on next year's musical at the ENO?

An interview in the Chess programme suggests that Tim Rice wants it to be Aida.

Unless they could get Beyoncé, or someone else at that level, to play the title role, I think it's probably a non-starter (and anyway it's not Rice's decision).  The point of these productions is to make a lot of money over a relatively short run; financially, they seem to work best when there's a combination of a familiar property and a big star, and that version of Aida is all but unknown in this country.

[Being Alive]

I’d like to suggest they do a Sondheim as that was the first composer they did at the ENO - maybe something like Night Music?

Or I’d like to see Oklahoma if they did R+H

[waybeyondblue]

Is Peppa Pig available? I imagine some of the current cast could easily make the roles theirs.

[david]

After watching this at today’s matinee, all I can say is WOW! What an experience hearing that score at the Coliseum played by a great orchestra. Chess has been one of the shows that I thought I would never get to see live, but after today I’m glad I got a ticket to witness this production.

As others have posted, the book itself isn’t the greatest, but on this occasion, I shall try to overlook it as it’s the musical score that is the star. You have to give thanks to the musical geniuses that are Benny and Bjorn. These guys know how to produce great music and with lyrics by TIm RIce, it is a winning combination.

Having never seen Michael Ball live, he in my opinion absolutely nailed the songs at this performance. His rendition of Anthem brought the audience to its feet at the final note, and it was well deserved. The same can be said for Tim Howar’s Pity the Child and ONIB.What absolutely fantastic performances of those great songs.

Cassidy Janson I thought really stood out with Nobody’s Side and IKHSW.

For Alex Burke, I felt was ok, though nothing special. Her duet with IKNSW was good, though I felt it lost some emotion from the song as the two ladies where too far apart. I have always felt they should have been closer together to give it that additional emotional boost. Also, as others have noted, she really isn’t on stage for that long and as a result I couldn’t really get emotionally involved with the character as you don’t really get to know her that well.

As I was sat in the Dress Circle slip seats, I got a fantastic view of the stage, but I liked the clever use of the cameras to give those higher up a helping hand to see the action.

As an aside, how great is the LC auditorium? As it was my first time there, I was blown away by the stunning architecture there. I am back in London next month for a few days, and am planning to do the theatre tour to get a bit more knowledge about the building.

[waybeyondblue]

It’s over. The OSO brought them back out for a second impromptu bow then home. Sir Ricicles stayed standing in his seat, taking the personal thanks from an adoring Alex fan club - then he left because his mum is waiting up (the fan not Timbo)

Cassidy has perfected channeling her inner Elaine whilst acting like Bonnie Langford.

Next year can we have singers who can act in a show with the same budget please?

[anthem]

I caught this again tonight (another trip to London was slightly over budget but I probably won’t see Chess performed to this scale any time again soon. Caught a matinee of ‘...Jamie’ too). It was nice to see everyone bringing their A game. I could spot a few in the ensemble welling up during the last number, along with some of the principals.

Maybe I’m easily pleased but I thought it was well acted overall. Perhaps I was just distracted by the beautiful score! As I said before, any reservations about Alexandra were blown away in Act II, especially in Endgame.
It’s a shame there isn’t a studio cast recording or at least a live one.