Previous Productions - Chess

Congratulations to Director Peter Cottell for pushing his cast hard to create believable characters and to Musical Director Kerrie Duce who had obviously also worked her cast hard with what is a difficult show and not an easy score.

SET
A simple set with projection screen at the back, I was a little uncertain as to the blocks purpose at times when being used, especially at the beginning when the cast were holding them whilst moving. However they were used effectively to make chairs and tables, and with a large cast on stage there was not really room for too much scenery.

From where I was sat on the right hand side of the auditorium there were a couple of times when masking occurred, and when the screen was used for the chess champions all that we could see was the name and the top of a head.

MUSIC
It is always nice to have “live music” and under the capable leadership of Kerrie Duce the Orchestra played for the most part at the right levels, although there were one or two occasions when it was a little loud and drowned the singers, causing them to have to shout rather than sing. But it was obvious that a lot of rehearsal had gone into this difficult score and at no time was the pace allowed to drop.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Congratulations to Lizzy Westney who had the problem of moving so many people around in a limited area and for the most part she achieved it. However in the first number “The Story of Chess” the cast were a little cramped and the movements were restricted, at times the cast bumping into each other. But the rest of the choreography was well handled and gave Lizzy a chance to put some fun into what is a serious show.

COSTUMES
Well done to the costume team who provided so many different costumes, at times these were very colourful, from the national costumes of Merano to Bangkok Dancers they were always in the period. It must have been hard work to find all the different styles, but you achieved this seemingly impossible task.

MAKE-UP
This was as always natural looking, well done

SOUNDS
I feel that I am always criticising sounds, but unfortunately this is one side of theatre that must be right as it can ruin a show for an audience. For the most part it was well handled however when both Florence and Svetlana reached their top notes it became shrill and tinny and a little harsh on the ear.

LIGHTING
Lighting designer Derek Lee had obviously done his homework as the cast were always well lit, leaving no one out of light or in dark patches. Well done.

PROPS
These were always in place and never looked out of place.

THE CAST

FREDERICK “FREDDIE” TRUMPER – THE AMERICAN (Lee Westney)
This was Lee’s first leading role and he tackled it with enthusiasm, congratulations on keeping up the accent the whole way through and being a loud brash “American” character. Lee moves well on stage and interacted well with Brendan and Emma. He got into the soul of his character and showed us all the emotional sides of Freddie. Lee has a pleasant singing voice which is better suited to the lower ranges because when he was reaching for the top notes it became shouting. His song with his younger self was well handled and became very moving. Congratulations on what will probably be the first of many leading parts.

ANATOLY SERGIEVSKY – THE RUSSIAN (Brendan Casey)
As Anatoly - Brendan was this character and we went through all the emotional turmoil that he was suffering with him. You can always be assured that no matter what role Brendan is asked to play he puts 110% into it, searching for that certain something in the characters he is asked to portray. A good strong voice that is suited to any type of music, it is a pleasure to listen to his singing. Congratulations on an excellent performance .

ALEXANDER MOLOKOV (Simon Gregory)
Simon is another actor who can turn his hand to being a man of many parts, he can always bring out the dark side of his characters, to as it were reach into their very soul, and with his powerful voice it always adds that little bit more. Simon gave a superb interpretation of the manipulative Russian, possibly a member of the KGB, one minute nice the next nasty. Congratulations.

WALTER DE COURCEY (David Bunker)
David had obviously looked hard into this character; he was the American equivalent of Alexander Molokov, David has a pleasant voice and you could hear every word clearly, he reacted well with both Alexander and Freddie. Well done

THE ARBITER (Michael Griffiths)
This is the third show that I have seen Michael in and with each character he has played he has improved, but with this character he seems to have found his niche, this was an excellent performance, his voice has become stronger and he has become more confident on stage. Michael worked well with the rest of the cast and was always in character. Congratulations on a first rate performance.

SVETLANA SERGIEVSKY (Sarah Harvey)
Sarah looked the part of a Russian in her outfit, although I did think that maybe her second outfit of a very short skirt was maybe not quite right for a Russian wife! Sarah always has a smile on her face and lights up the stage with her presence, this is an actress who has improved with each show, and shows quietly that she has hidden talent. A good strong powerful voice which she used to it’s advantage in her songs, especially in “I know him so well” this was beautifully handled and you could hear a pin drop when Emma and her were singing. Congratulations on a confident and natural performance.

FLORENCE VASSY (Emma Watkins)
Emma is another talented actress and this was a very demanding role, which you coped with ease. A good strong singing voice, but you do need to watch the higher registers as it became a little shrill and tinny, it would have sounded better and more natural if you relied on your voice and not a microphone. At all times when you were on stage you had a commanding presence and took charge. This was a superb portrayal of a woman who was at times at odds with her emotions. Your duet with Sarah was exceptional and we could understand your feelings which were at one with Svetlana’s but it was obvious who had the claim to Anatoly. This was a professional performance of which you should be proud. Congratulations.

ENSEMBLE
So many people and so many different characters to portray, but as always with BAOS the ensemble playing was well handled, you all worked hard portraying each character with ease and confidence. Good movement and strong singing, and as always you all looked at ease and were obviously enjoying yourselves. There was good interaction with each other and the main members of the cast, every one acting as part of a team. It was obvious that Kerrie and Lizzy had worked hard drilling each song and movement into you and you had rewarded them with your performances. Congratulations

Congratulations to Pete, Kerrie and Lizzy for all their hard work but most of all to the talented cast who put all their selves into their performances to produce an outstanding and professional show. I thoroughly enjoyed the show as did the sell out audience. Thank you for your warm welcome and kind hospitality as always front of house, and I look forward to being invited to your next production

Tony Winstone
NODA Representative – District 13