Second, there can be some benefit of having a musical translated and performed in a foreign language. The best example of this is Les Miserables, which was translated from the original French into English. The English version became so successful that it was then translated back into French. Chess improved when it was translated into Swedish. Compared to the American version, the characters were fleshed out more fully and used more selectively.
Thirdly, every element in a musical must be right. Otherwise, the less successful components can drag the entire production down. This was probably the reason why the Broadway production closed only after a couple of months. Critics complained that the show was too serious, too long, too boring.
One final comment. World affairs can have a tremendous impact on the success or failure of a musical. I think Chess may have been affected by two events. The Soviet Union was waning in the late 1980s. It ultimately collapsed in 1991 and the the Cold War ended with it. At the same time, computer chess programs became increasingly sophisticated and difficult to defeat. In 1997, the IBM computer Deep Blue defeated the reigning chess champion, Gary Kasparov. Without the Cold War and with a declining interest in the game, I would surmise that Chess may have suffered a loss of relevance and appeal to American audiences in 1988.
Nevertheless, Chess will survive because of the strength of its music and lyrics. Hopefully the latest Swedish version of Chess, translated back into English and tweaked a bit more, will find success and become the definitive blueprint for future productions.
Chess Recordings
Currently there are four CD recordings and one DVD recording available. The original London 1986 concept album remains my favorite, featuring Elaine Paige, Barbara Dickson, Murray Head and Tommy Körberg. I also like the Swedish 1994 Gothenburg concert version. I have not heard the Danish version, which is highly rated. While the American version is bottom of my ranking, it is nevertheless a good recording and does not disappoint.
As for the Swedish DVD version, it has some excellent singing but I am disappointed by the duet in “I Know Him So Well”, and by the Arbiter, who is not a strong singer.
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.