Chess, the Benny Andersson-Tim Rice-Björn Ulvaeus musical, is playing now at the Royal Academy, of Music in London, in a pretty remarkable new production directed by Bruce Guthrie, choreographed by Ben Hartley, designed and with video by Andrzej Goulding, costumes by Sophia Pardon, lit by Rob with Imogen Clarke, with sound by Mike Walker.
Being involved with this production has been something a ‘full circle’ moment for Rob: the original album of the show was what first got him interested in theatre and musicals back in the mid-1980s; he saw the original London production in May 1986, and went on to work with many of those involved in creating that show and many of the other landmark productions of British musical theatre, in particular lighting designer David Hersey.
As fans of the show will know, Chess has existed in many forms over the years, each taking different approaches to cracking the challenge of presenting a show originally created as an album - where, like a good novel, your imagination fills in the gaps between the songs - to a stage show. All who have seen this new production so far agree that, driven by a remarkable cast and twenty-seven piece orchestra in the pit, it is clear, powerful and overwhelming in its impact: a worthy production of a beautiful show.
Chess is playing at the Royal Academy of Music in London now. [link]