Staging Synopsis (A work in progress, so still quite rough)
The set is made up of scattered squares all of which are screens, which can show various images.
The show starts with the 'Champions' OVERTURE with the word Chess appearing on the centre screens, growing in size and spreading out across all the screens and fading out.
The music for THE STORY OF CHESS begins...
The centre section of the screen rises to allow eight chess players to walk forwards and take up their positions at four chess tables. When the players are seated the Arbiter appears upstage left and walks backwards to centre stage turning around as if to 'surprise' the audience. Some laugh.
The Arbiter begins to tell the story of chess. It is illustrated on the left and right screens by a beautifully animated 'shadow puppet' style animation.
At the end of the song. A hydraulic square platform rises to stage level from the orchestra pit. On it is Anatoly and his son. They are playing chess.
Anatoly: "Checkmate. Never accept what is presented to you as truth, you must anticipate your opponents every move and attack when they least expect it. Always remember that my son. Now I have a gift for you. It was my father's and it was his father's before him and now it's yours."
Anatoly gives him a gift. It's a musical watch.
Molokov comes to collect Anatoly.
Molokov: "Soon he will be a great player like his father. It's time Anatoly. Say goodbye to your wife." Anatoly: "Open it." (it plays the Story of Chess melody) "And remember." Svetlana: "Come along Ivan, your father has to leave for Merano." Anatoly: "Something in Russian.... " (He kisses the boy.) "Go to your mother. Svetlana."
Svetlana is standing at the top of the stairs stage right. Anatoly doesn't say goodbye to his wife, he just says her name and leaves with Molokov up the stairs, stage left.
The centre screen flies up allowing the people of Moreno to come on stage. The dancers move to centre stage, while the 'spectators' remain in an upstage group waving flags. MERANO The screens show the Merano mountains, airport etc. Mid song an aeroplane flies in overhead on the screens. It is seen banking and eventually landing. The nose of the plane appears stage left (on the screens) and the door opens to allow Freddie and Florence to exit and arrive centre stage via the stage left staircase. Florence: "OK Freddie, you'll have an hour or two to freshen up before the press conference." ROCK MERANO, Freddie meets the crowd, poses for photographs etc. There are various close ups of these on the screen. Obviously the press are already here and filming his every move.
Florence: "Please play nice with the press this time Freddie and try not to say negative things about the Russian. They love him and we need to up our game." They leave. One of the Merano town people claims that Freddie loves them!! "He loves us." The song continues to end as normal.
The scene changes to PRESS CONFERENCE. Freddie and Florence are seated centre stage at a table with their backs to the audience. As Freddie faces the questions he, Florence and the press are shown on the screens.
As the Press Conference proceeds, the screens are once again brought into use. They not only show Florence and Freddie, but also the press themselves.
One reporter says something about Florence. Reporter: "How are things going at home, lover boy?" Freddie: "What he say? Reporter: "We hear that Florence is through, lover boy." Freddie punches him then storms off.
Florence: "Smile you've got your first...."
Scene changes to a room with Anatoly and Molokov. They are watching a video of the press conference.
Anatoly: "You set him up." Molokov: "It's what we do. The man is utterly mad." As normal then later several new lines... all reference to Florence and Hungary etc has been cut!!! Anatoly: "Now I have my own strategy if we play the game my way."
"Listen we don't underestimate............. ..............that is if you want to win."
Molokov: "As you wish. We're not the enemy Anatoly you'd be wise to remember that." Molokov leaves. WHERE I WANT TO BE
The screens are filled with Russian flags and symbolic images. A troupe of Russian soldiers in uniform enter the stage and begin a counter march routine. Molokov is on the stage right staircase being interviewed as he sings his lines from the song. His face is shown on the screens. US v USSR
The screens change to USA symbolism and cheerleader merchandisers come marching on. There is also an Uncle Sam on stilts. Meanwhile on the screens Freddie is seen endorsing several tacky items of chess merchandise. A mug, a t-shirt and a chess set etc.
The merchandisers do various cheerleader activities including forming pyramids etc. MERCHANDISERS
Two elevated platforms are pushed to centre stage to form a V. The Arbiter is positioned at the point of the V and sings his song from there. Within the platforms sit adjudicators etc. The Arbiter assistants shimmy down the stairs and do some dancing with clipboards during the song. THE ARBITER At the end the Arbiter introduces the game like it's the Eurovision Song Contest (i.e. with great tacky excitement) and with canned applause! He introduces Anatoly and Freddie. Lines about drawing white etc. are rushed and are probably missed or not understood by a majority of the audience.
As Anatoly and Freddie take their seats at the chess table, CHESS HYMN is sung.
CHESS 1 is played and the players faces are shown on the screens.
Eventually the screens begin to show newspaper headlines and newsreel footage illustrating aspects of the cold war. Though due to the fractured design of the screens it's often not possible to read what the headline is. You only manage to see the words Soviet or US this, that or whatever. Though this probably depends on where you are sitting. Freddie eventually says.. "He talked. He's been doing it the whole match he's getting signals from his second. I won't play like this." He knocks down a chess piece and storms off.
The Arbiter: "Mr Trumper that is not the correct protest protocol."
Molokov: "This is an outrage the soviet union demands the immediate disqualification of Mr Trumper." ARBITER REPRISE QUARTET All four are sitting in chairs. Very static. Anatoly eventually makes his way to sit next to Florence.... although "my opposition's a nut" is used Florence still uses "one of those". Why? It makes no sense to mix the lyrics! The Arbiter: "If the players do not return to the arena within 24 hours I will be left with no option but to announce the match null and void. Might I suggest you find a resolution between yourselves."
Molokov: "This game is greater than its players Miss Vassy I would have thought as a fellow Eastern European you would understand that."
Florence: "Is that a joke? Have you forgotten 1956? I am Hungarian you bastards took our country from us I was five when you moved in and took my father and you dare call me a fellow Eastern European! I understand what's at stake. I will have Fredrick at the Merano Inn at seven, will you be there?
Anatoly: "I will be there, alone." Molokov: "Remember the game is greater than its players Miss Vassy."
Scene changes to Freddie's hotel room.
Freddie: "I said 20,000 dollars a game or I'm not playing." Florence: "You want to lose your only friend..." Freddie: "Jesus Florence, after everything they've done to you?" Freddie: "For Christ Sake, they took your father." Florence: "Why'd you have to do this to me...." Freddie: "I'm going to get changed." Florence: "I promised the Russians we'd meet to talk tonight. Freddie: "You shouldn't have done that." Florence: "Promise me you will be at the Merano Inn at 7." A grunt from Freddie, and he leaves. NOBODY'S SIDE
At the inn a guy is playing Thank You For The Music on an accordion. The stage is filled with tables and benches, Merano people and tourists. DER KLEINE FRANZ is sung. Amongst the busiest scene ever, Anatoly and Florence are sitting at a table. It's obvious they have been there a while as they are finishing their tankers of beer. Anatoly goes to get them a couple more. As he does so they sing their sections of the song. He gets back to their table on "Listen I hate to break up the mood...." MOUNTAIN DUET They are seen in close up on the screens. It feels everything but romantic, intimate or an idyllic well produced scene. Once again attention is pulled from the actual human interaction on stage to the over powering screens.
Eventually their hands meet across the table, at which point Freddie arrives. Freddie: "Who'd ever guess it, such a very pretty setting..... where's daddy, dead or in the KGB?" Florence walks off. Freddie: "Was it something I said?" Anatoly: "Mr Trumper." Freddie: "The match can continue tomorrow and we don't have to be friends." CHESS II, but much longer than in original London version.
Freddie overturns the board and storms out. The Arbiter: "At the end of today's session the challenger leads the defending champion 5 games to 1." FLORENCE QUITS A few new lines forced in.... Florence: "It's over Freddie I'm done putting up with you, you can get another assistant."
Freddie: "Go off with your Commie lover." A TASTE OF PITY Freddie makes a phone call. Freddie: "Hey we need to talk I want to make a statement." A very 80s looking TV presenter appears on the upstage screen. TV Reporter: "There was drama at the world chess championship in Merano, Italy today when after a devastating 5/1 defeat yesterday, Fredrick Trumper, the US champion, conceded to the Russian challenger Anatoly Sergievsky."
A clip is shown of Freddie. Freddie: "It's disappointing but I have to give it to Mr Sergivesky he certainly played a good game. I am also taking this opportunity to announce my retirement from chess."
TV Reporter: "Following the announcement from Fredrick Trumper, Anatoly Sergivesky, the new world chess champion, made a bold political move by stating he intends to not return to Russia. Mr Sergivesky went missing from the Russian delegation less than an hour after the announcement of his win against Fredrick Trumper. A member of the Russian delegation was not available for comment." The news report changes to a Russian channel which is being watched by Svetlana. She is also reading about it in the paper, she sings SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY Sydney lyrics.
Centre screen slides up to allow several desks to be pushed on with typists. The screens show that it is the British Embassy and various documents are seen being typed up. Four embassy workers come on with bowler hats and umbrellas. EMBASSY LAMENT
A lectern rises from the pit. Florence comes on, followed by Anatoly. Florence: "Mr Sergievsky wishes to make a brief statement to the press. He will not be taking questions at this time." There are no press visible just a few voiceovers asking a jumble of questions. He latches onto, "Why are you leaving Russia?" Anatoly: "I leave nothing." ANTHEM. He sings it downstage centre raising his arms in the air towards the end of the song.
Act Two
A suitcase is preset in front of the safety curtain during the interval. As act two begins Svetlana and her son come on stage. The son is playing his musical watch.
Svetlana: "Something in Russian...." Ivan: "When will I see Papa?" Svetlana: "Soon." She sends him off. Svetlana still has the watch, as she looks at it she reflects on Anatoly. HE IS A MAN HE IS A CHILD. She is of course blown up to massive proportions on the screens. On the stage she moves a little, and she finishes packing her case - on the floor.
The screens are filled with flames and a Dragon. Thai dancers in golden costumes dance centre stage. Two silk acrobats drop from the flies. Various images of Buddha's etc are on the screens. GOLDEN BANGKOK
Freddie makes a rushed intro to camera then proceeds to explore Bangkok to camera. The v platforms come on with dancers inside where once there were chess officials.
ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK
The scene changes to Florence and Anatoly's hotel room. They are watching Freddie on TV. Anatoly: "I don't understand what he's doing here." Florence: "He works for the television network that's covering the event. He wants to do an interview with you." Anatoly: "No I don't trust him." Florence: "Don't think about him keep your mind on Viigand he's a formidable opponent." Anatoly: "I will. I'm distracted by Trumpet I just need to focus." Florence: "Then focus on me." Anatoly: "I love you." Florence: "That's the first time you've said it." Anatoly: "I know. I have to go." Florence: "Will you do the interview?" Anatoly: "I will, for you." Anatoly leaves. HEAVEN HELP MY HEART This is sung in a bed, once again with close ups of Florence on the screens.
The scene changes to Molokov's suite. Molokov: "Sergievsky lives in a fairy tale the comrades the traitor will get what's coming to him but now let us drink to Viigand our disciplined soviet chess playing machine." SOVIET MACHINE
Half way through the song the phone rings. It's a 'mobile' in a briefcase. Molokov: "Russian technology. Mr Trumper thank you for returning my call. I have proof that Florence Vassy's father is alive. Yes that's correct. Perhaps if a deal can be struck we can reunite Miss Vassy with.. I thought you would say that. Svetlana, yes she arrived with me. Thank you Mr Trumper." Song continues as normal... Viigand: "Checkmate." Molokov: "Gooooooooooodnight"
The scene changes to a TV studio, where Freddie is preparing for the interview with Anatoly. Freddie: "Now I have a special guest joining me live on global news. He is here in Bangkok defending his title after taking it from me last year in Merano Italy. ladies and gentlemen please welcome Mr Anatoly Sergievsky." TV INTERVIEW As per London then a few changed lines towards the end. Freddie: "....Well we have a little surprise we have your wife joining the show. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Mrs Svetlana Sergievsky."
Anatoly: "What the hell is this?
Freddie: "Let her talk to you...."
Anatoly: "I'm not doing this. Svetlana: "Anatoly." Anatoly throws down his mic and walks off. Freddie: "Hey come back my friend, we're only showing, real life and nothing more. Where are you going?" Freddie talks with Svetlana and the studio team prepare her for an interview. Anatoly heads up the stage right steps to the platform where Florence is waiting. ARGUMENT
After Argument Anatoly exits and Florence remains on the platform. She begins I KNOW HIM SO WELL. Down on the stage, Svetlana is now being interviewed by Freddie, her lines in the song being her 'reply' to questions silently asked by Freddie.
Both ladies are shown on the side screens, sometimes at the same time in overlapped images. The music for THE DEAL sequence begins, but it is made to sound like the theme tune for a TV news bulletin! The scene changes to Svetlana's hotel room, (down stage right a dressing table is in position) where Molokov explains she is not in Bangkok for a holiday and that she must tell Anatoly he has to lose. She leaves and meets Anatoly down stage left of centre. Svetlana: "Think about your boy Anatoly." "Who needs a dream... ...slows down, where will you be? Anatoly: "Back where I started." The scene changes to a hotel room, not sure if it's supposed to be Florence and Anatoly's or Freddie's. (It looks like the one from HHMH, but Freddie stays in it later. ) Freddie is in it along with Florence. Freddie: "Your father is alive." Florence: "My father alive, what are you talking about Freddie?" Freddie: "Alive in Russia, 30 years in prison, the evidence is conclusive, Molokov assures me that if you can get Anatoly to lose the game he can get your father out." Florence: "You will say anything to get your way. There's no deal." Freddie: "It's your father Florence. It's the truth." Anatoly walks in on them. Anatoly: "What the hell's going on here?" (So it might be their room??) Florence: "He's saying my father is alive, he's saying the Russian's will release him, if you lose the game." Anatoly: "Is this true?" Freddie: "Communist, democrat.... (as per concept album I think) Anatoly: "Refugee, total shit...
Freddie: "Silly boy, woman who I should not have let walk out.... As Freddie sings this to Florence, Anatoly stands downstage left with his arms folded. Anatoly: ".......preaching to the perverted." Freddie: "Perverted? Look I played my part, I told you the truth. It's the match for her father, that's their deal. Florence: "My father is dead Freddie, I lost him a long time ago. We need to leave. Florence leaves and as Anatoly moves to leave too, Freddie stops him. Freddie: "I don't even know why I'm saying this. Watch Viigand's Kings Indian defence, he's weak there, he's been trying a line of attack that doesn't quite make sense." Anatoly: "I don't understand." Freddie: "His Kings Indian defence." Anatoly: "I don't understand why you would try to help me." Freddie: "Hey, you were the first to get the better of me. You're a great player, don't let mediocrity win. Chess is my life watch out for it. Anatoly: "I will. Fredrick. Thank you." Anatoly leaves and Freddie remains in the room (So maybe it is his?) PITY THE CHILD
The bed from the room is taken off during Pity and the stage is now empty. On the screens the names and images of the chess champions are projected as the chorus sing them and make their way down stage. CHAMPIONS The platforms move into their v position and Freddie appears on the screens with an update of the match. The chess board square rises up to stage level and Anatoly and Vegan take up their positions. On the platforms Freddie 'interviews' Molokov as he begins "How straight forward the game..." Freddie does the Walter lines and later proceeds to 'interview' Florence as she sings "Does the player exist in any human endeavour..." ENDGAME
The chorus walk forward centre stage.At the end of the game the stage clears. Anatoly then walks back on stage from stage right and Florence runs into his arms from stage left. Florence: "Oh my God!" Anatoly: "I had to win. Losing to Molokov would have meant I could never be free. Ivan: "Papa" Anatoly: "Machie/something in Russian." Svetlana: "Ivan, come here. We'll be outside." Florence: "You're going back to Russia." Anatoly: "I have no choice, I made a deal with Molokov. Florence your father is alive. Florence: "What?" Anatoly: "They've agreed to release him if I agree to return to Russia." Florence: "It's not true it's a trick. Anatoly: "Florence please, I love you and that's what I have to do this for you." Florence: "My heart is breaking." YOU AND I
No idea why Anatoly sings "I don't know why I'm standing by, watching you leave me." When it's not her that's leaving, where has this lyric come from?? The chorus walk forward centre stage.
STORY OF CHESS (reprise) "Each game of chess... ...to be made." "King and Queen and Rook... ...fascinating yarn." Anatoly, Svetlana and their son walk down through the middle of the chorus to down stage centre. Svetlana "This is an all too familiar scene........ ........I'm just dying to know would you do it all again." Svetlana, Ivan and Anatoly head up the stage right steps, Svetlana and Ivan exit, while Anatoly remains at the top as Florence, now also at the top of the stage left steps begins "But we know full well, it's not hard to tell.... " The show ends with "...happy ending." Anatoly and Florence looking at each other from opposite sides of the stage.