The love triangle between Anatoly, Freddie and Florence forms the backbone of the plot. While Florence’s back story of her family’s escape from Budapest during the Soviet invasion is preserved, the subplot of her father wanting to defect to the West is removed. Walter, Freddie’s business associate in the American version, is also deleted. In all the versions of Chess, Anatoly defects to the West. To persuade Anatoly to return to Russia, both his wife and son are brought to Merano. In the end, it is his son who is instrumental in bringing him back home.
The Swedish version has the best book. The motivation of the protagonists is well delineated. The characterization is sharp and has sufficient depth, the love story is believable, and the subtle emotional changes are captured sensitively. Tommy Körberg plays Anatoly, a role he established in the original London concept recording 16 years earlier.
In terms of songs, the major casualty is “One Night in Bangkok”, which is demoted into disco music played in a bar. “Someone Else’s Story” is preserved and beautifully sung by Helen Sjöholm, playing the role of Florence.
However, her rival, Anatoly’s wife Svetlana (played by Josefin Nilsson), is disappointing. She starts the song “I Know Him So Well.” I am not enamored by her voice, and I could not help comparing her to Elaine Paige, who sang the same song with Barbara Dickson in the London album. As this is my favorite song, the less than optimal interpretation drags the Swedish version down one notch. Moreover, the hostility between Florence and Svetlana is acted too intensely for this lyrical ballad.
The Arbiter is given a comic slant by Rolf Skoglund, and I have no problems with this. However, he is not a strong singer, and ultimately his performance is the most unsatisfying.
In terms of pacing, the first act is very well constructed and the story is rivetting. Unfortunately, the second act runs out of steam and drags on. There are too many slow songs and unnecessary distractions, like a pair of acrobats writhing on a static trapeze bar suspended above the protagonists.
Despite these reservations, I like the Swedish version the best. The story and characters are the most believable and the emotional elements are the strongest. I understand that this version will be translated back into English. I anticipate that further improvements will be made. Hopefully, this version will gain ascendancy for future performances.
Epilogue
There are some object lessons to be learnt in the story of Chess.
First, the old adage that “you live by the book, you die by the book” still holds. The major criticism of the early versions was that the book was flawed. Some of the characters were underdeveloped. The protagonists were not too likeable and thus one did not care much for them. The plot was unfocussed with perhaps one subplot too many. Even the smash hit songs could not save the show.
Article comments
1 - Wayne
Overall, this is a fine review. But I would say one thing -- as a fan, I would rather not see any definitive version of Chess. The show's variety keeps it alive and interesting, and while I'd love to see other variations come to US shores, I just don't think it'd be as fascinating a show if "stuck" in one version.
2 - Ken Lyen
Thanks. Your point is well taken. However, I sit on both sides of the fence. As a producer, I would like to have the freedom to shape a musical in my own way. On the other hand, as a composer and writer of musicals, I would like my works to be performed in its entirety and in the way that it has been written. I get annoyed when directors cut out songs, rewrite script and lyrics, and add songs not written by me (all without my permission). Nevertheless, within the boundaries I set, I allow directors quite a lot of leeway to make changes to my own musicals. It is in this context that I suggest that Chess should have a definitive version, so that directors can use as a source of reference.
3 - Jon
Thanks for the site... after many many years the show is finally being produced by a local company in Syracuse, New York... I can't wait.
4 - Bookworm
I agree with a lot of this. However, re your comments on the Swedish production, the hostility between Florence and Svetlana is a natural outgrowth of the Swedish lyrics, which are rather hostile instead of the tone of sad resignation of the English version. It doesn't seem amiss for Josefin Nilsson to be singing "I'm ready to fight" (Jag ar beredd at slas) as she tosses off her coat.
5 - Stevie
Can anyone tell me if there is a Chess The Musical DVD - a movie or footage of the stage play? and if so where can i buy this ASAP?
Thanks
6 - Ken Lyen
As far as I am aware, the only DVD available is the 2003 Swedish production (region 2). It is in Swedish and there are no subtitles. In general the singing and acting is excellent. The DVD is available from Dress Circle in the UK.
7 - John McGrath
Nice piece and thanks for the info on the DVD...Always wanted to see the musical, but, by the time I was going to make the trek across the pond-production had shut down
8 - Keith
Interesting - the Dress Circle link doesn't mention the language. Wonder how many people have been caught.
9 - John seracuse
Nice reviews , My high school (wissahickon high school ,Ambler pa 19002) is doing a production of chess , on march 9 , 10 , and 11th 2008. If you would like tickets go to (John conahan . com), and email him for info , and the price. We are doing the 1988 brodway version. Last year we were prasied for are production of Miss.Saigon , SO TELL AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN ABOUT US.
10 - Leslie C
My high school is performing chess and I have the part of svetlana. I've never seen it before and I was wondering how big of a part it is and how many songs she's in.
11 - Alex Cockell
To No 10...
IIRC, she's in Act 2 mainly...
12 - Ron
My wife and I saw the original version in London in 1986. I thought it was the best show we saw during the three years we lived there and we saw a lot of them (includes the original version of Phantom, Cats, Les Miserables and other classics) I particularly liked the opening scene in which living chess pieces moved around a large chessboard on the stage to a song that described the history of chess. Was a video or film of the original version in London ever made? Would it be possible to acquire a copy?
13 - Duane
Back in the late 80s or early 90s a friend introduced me to a gentleman named Andre who said he had directed one of the productions in either Sweden or Denmark. I'd like to get in contact with him again. Do you think you can help me locate him?
14 - Frank Vulliet
I, too, saw the original London production (probably October, 1988) and found it intriguing but at times hard to follow. I assumed it had pretty much gone to the bottom of the musical dust bin due to the limited public interest these days both in the Game and the history of the Cold War.
Surprise! This evening CPB is presenting "Chess in Concert" performed at Albert Hall. Given public television's propensity to offer numerous reruns in fairly quick succession it should give many an opportunity to revisit or see it for the first time. Unfortunately, my local station provided virtually no publicity beyond an e-mail two days ago.
15 - Patricia Sullivan
I just finished watching Chess on my WTTW station here in Chicago and although I knew nothing about this (I never learned how to play Chess) the only reason that I recorded it, was because Josh Groban (Who is my favorite), was going to be in the production. I was completely taken by not only the music, but the casts ability to perform so well.
16 - Ron
My wife and I saw the London version in the late 80's and it was spectacular. The TV broadcase on PBS the other night was a pleasant surprise to say the least, albeit a departure from the original to some degree. It was well staged and the singing was excellent.
17 - Clive
For those keen to see/hear the show in its entirety: a new 2009 recording of the recent Royal Albert Hall concert of Chess (in English!) is now available on DVD and 2CD. This follows the original version of the story, with the addition of "Someone Else's Story". It is the most complete version of the show yet released (bar the excellent "Danish" cast recording from a few years ago), although some people have voiced concerns about a few of the performances.
You can read about the Chess DVD on Amazon.
18 - Bill
The real problem is that most of the songs are well crafted and fit the genre, but the plot sucks. I hate to say that, but if someone could create a musical with songs like these, but a timeless yet relevant plot, it would be the next big musical.
People consider Mama Mia a musical. I do not, because it suffers from the same affliction. Good music, bad plot. Sorry.
19 - Judy
I fell in love with this story and music back in 1988. When the musical came to my city, I was mezmerized by the "Romeo & Juliet"-esque plot and likened it to a Shakepearean tragedy. I was shocked and very disappointed by the "new" version" that appeared on PBS recently. In my view the story is ruined. I am sorry that my 12 year old daughter, who has also come to love the music, will never see the original iteration. Mssrs. Rice and Nunn did us purists no favors with their changes.
20 - Christopher Griffin
The greatest musical score yet written but the story lacks true drama. The show should end with Anthem,a song with balls!
21 - Christopher Griffin
West End full of warmed-over gormless tribute shows yet Kristina-a musical with enough cracking tunes to fill the entire West End for an eternity-still denied a theatrical debut staged as a musical...on the way to Finland and Russia though!