Putting musical together ‘full-on challenge', but fun
Tackling the beast of a show that is Chess the Musical is an exciting challenge for director Greg MacLeod and his dedicated cast and crew.
''Chess traverses such a wide range of genres, from classical, balletic and opera to Rogers & Hammerstein and ABBA-style pop, that it is a full-on challenge, but great fun,'' MacLeod said.
''It's enormous, there are 500 pages of music, and it races along like a freight train — which is a major reason it is such an entertaining show.''
The production team of MacLeod, musical director Bridget Telfer-Milne and choreographer Olivia Larkins are steering the large cast through the complex process of putting the musical together.
Created by Tim Rice and the musical geniuses behind ABBA's multitude of hit songs, Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Chess has a focus on dirty politics and people's struggles to control their lives that remain just as relevant today as they were in the 1980s, when the show was written.
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, it is a tale of love, rivalry and political intrigue, and is filled with hit songs including One Night in Bangkok , I Know Him So Well and Anthem .
The show follows two chess grandmasters in a high-stakes world championship match — brash American Freddie Trumper (Ben Thomas) and calm, strategic Soviet player Anatoly Sergievsky (Max Beal).
Caught between them is Florence Vassy (Anna Langford), who soon finds herself torn between loyalty and love.
MacLeod is full of praise for his leading lady, saying Langford is taking the role ''to an amazing place''.
''Florence is at the heart of the show and is a great character, and Anna has stacks of experience to bring to the role — it is great working with her.''
He felt equally lucky with his two male leads, as well as the rest of the performers playing principal roles, including Jack Archibald, Sophie Whibley, Joshua Larkins and Alex Gourdie.
''They are all very talented and are working incredibly hard, which makes my job easier.''
The ensemble cast was also impressive, dancing and singing and tackling complex harmonies with aplomb.
Telfer-Milne was leading a 13-piece orchestra, combining rock and classical instruments, to accompany the action.
As a first-time director tackling a non-consortium show, where the team had created its own sets and costumes, MacLeod was loving the challenge and relishing the chance to work creatively.
''Usually I see things from the perspective of a performer, from the inside out, but this is a chance to look from the outside in.
''I can see the fruits of my labours and imagine it from the audience perspective, which is very cool.''
He was also enjoying the process of communicating with cast members and working to bring out the best in their performances.
''They are all really rising to the challenge, so I'm confident we are going to put on a fantastic show.''
Chess the Musical will be staged from May 15-24, with most performances at 7.30pm and a Sunday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are on sale now.
BRENDA.HARWOOD@thestar.co.nz
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