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NODA REVIEW FOR THE SAVOY SINGERS
‘CHESS’ – OCTOBER 2010
 Savoy Singers’ stage director, Sue Sampson (left) being presented with NODA South East Accolade of Excellence by regional representative E Gloria Smith for our production of CHESS (October 2010).
I was delighted to have the opportunity to see ‘Chess’ which is one of my favourite musicals and what an excellent production it proved to be. Having taken part in it twice, once in the role of Molokov(a!), it was difficult not to join in the wonderful musical numbers!
Arriving slightly late due to traffic on the M25 I was in time to hear the interview with the reporters, (press conference) and although having previously heard the individual lines sung I thought it worked well with them being spoken.
The hotel bedrooms were luxurious and with a minimum of furniture and props the stage looked stylish and depicted the various locations convincingly.
It would be difficult to pick out any negative points in this production as it really was first rate.
Tim Elliot was charming as Anatoly and it was easy to see why the two women would fall in love with him. His rendition of the Anthem (possibly my favourite song in the show) was super.
A perfect foil to the amiable and even-tempered Russian was Frederick Trumper, played by Adam Bayjou. I understand came in at the last minute to take over the role of the irascible, and arrogant American and he did it very well. His singing was good and I particularly enjoyed ‘Pity the Child’, also the setting of it. The song had even more impact as the story was enacted on stage, an approach that was used by the director in other numbers, also to good effect.
Sue Prior gave a polished performance as Florence Vassy with expressive and impressive vocals.
Again a good contrast was made between she and Svetlana Sergievsky, and Sam Johnson’s voice and acting were faultless. The duet, usually the only song with which the audience are familiar, was beautifully sung and Anatoly’s presence during it was a nice touch. She looked just right too. There’s a tendency to costume her more glamorously, if only for that song, but the rather frumpy outfit was much more fitting for the role.
Martin Sampson has a wide vocal range and ‘The Soviet Machine’ was powerfully sung and performed. His base notes were just beautiful.
I liked Nic Maine’s characterisation of the Arbiter and his was another excellent performance.
Walter De Corcy has a less stirring role in the musical but Andrew Wilson acquitted himself admirably as the CIA plant.
The long period during which the two men play chess was imaginatively filled by the ballet dancers, and their black and white tutu’s were striking. The formal setting for The Embassy was perfect and that was a particularly good number musically.
There was passion in abundance from Florence and Anatoly when they performed ‘You And I’, and the sleaziness of Bangkok was brilliantly depicted by the chorus members whilst Frederick sang ‘One Night In Bangkok’.
Sue Sampson’s direction and the attention paid to the detail within the story was commendable. The Russian team had all the extra hangers-on, dressed appropriately for their positions and looking decidedly dour, whilst the Americans had just a handful of people; all facts that are stated in the song but which most societies tend to overlook.
Richard Stockton and his orchestra provided praiseworthy accompaniment for the musical although on occasion played a little too loudly.
The lighting plot was well designed and the up to the minute equipment at the theatre ensured that it was well executed.
Backstage crew worked quickly and quietly and the props were chosen with care.
Costumes were suitable except for Frederick’s. His suit was scruffy looking and compared to Anatoly he looked like a poor cousin, not like someone from the wealthiest country in the western world. If the look was intended to be casual the effect could have been achieved with a leather jacket, tee- shirt and jeans.
A small point in an otherwise super production --- congratulations!
Your programme is beautifully presented as always, contains plenty of information and top quality photographs. I’m sure you will be entering it in poster/programme competition later in the year.
Thank you for inviting me to ‘Chess’ and also for your hospitality on the evening.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA Regional Representative – District 12
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