London Staging Synopsis

This is an attempt at explaining and showing how the London production was staged.Hopefully this will give those who were not fortunate enough to see it live, some idea ofwhat it was like to be there in the Prince Edward Theatre all those years ago! To give anindication of scale, each of the squares on the chess floor and backdrop were 42 inchesor approximately 107cms. I have not gone into every little detail and movement, but ifanybody has any questions, do please ask and I will try to find out if I don't already know.

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When the audience enter the auditorium they are greeted by a black 'curtain' divided intoa grid of squares with silver strips. Originally the word CHESS and the Chess logo wasprojected onto this, but after some months the logo was removed and only the wordremained. (I think the 'gobo', the stencil used to create the logo effect, became damagedand was never replaced. Unfortunately I do not yet have an image of this.) The two banksof television screens are of course visible at either side of the proscenium arch, but withnothing showing on them at this point.

ACT ONE

As the lights and the Chess word and logo fade, the beautifully gentle first notes of TheStory of Chess begin to fill the auditorium. Behind the curtain, another black curtain fliesout, revealing the grid to be a gauze. Beyond this, in the centre of the stage a light slowlypicks out the shape of a 'wise man' dressed in oriental style robes and mask. As he beginsto explain the legend of chess, various characters dressed as ancient chess piecesappear from amid the darkness and mist, enacting the story as it is told. On the final wordof “They thus invented Chess” the pieces line up as in the traditional starting positions ofa chess game and suddenly the entire stage becomes a huge chess board.

As the future history of the game is explained, the pieces proceed to move as in a game ofchess with each piece leaving the stage as they are captured, until by the very end onlythree pieces remain - the original 'wise man' and two others. They remove the wise man'srobes and mask to reveal the Arbiter of the 1986 World Chess Championship. (The Storyof Chess)

The Arbiter announces that Freddrick Trumper of the United States of America (thecurrent world champion) will defend his title against Anatoly Sergievsky of the SovietUnion. The first player to achieve six victories will be declared champion. The first gamewill begin on March 27th.

A number of Merano citizens enter the stage, dressed in traditional costume and carryinga huge banner welcoming the World Championships to their town. They gather togetherto form a choir at stage left and begin to rehearse their song. As they continue to singthey begin making their way to the local railway station, by circling the stage. As they doso the large upstage screens slide open to reveal the beautiful Merano mountainsbackdrop. The railway station truck is pushed into position upstage left and as the choirreform at stage right, lights fade up on the station. When Freddie arrives (with Florence,his chess second, Walter and several others) he dismisses all the fuss that the locals havemade and lives up to his bad boy reputation by mostly ignoring their welcome. He takes aphoto of Florence as she shakes hands with the Mayor. A local asks Florence for Freddie's

autograph, which she gets for him, but when Freddie is presented with a bunch of flowersby the Mayor's young daughter he refuses them and leaves for his hotel, quickly followedby Florence. Disheartened by Freddie's lack of interest, the citizens of Merano decide tolavish their hospitality on the next person to come out of the station - a single backpacker.They serenade him with their song, the Mayor and Mayoress welcome him with greataffection and hugs, the Mayor's daughter presents him with her bunch of flowers, whileother locals place flower garlands around his neck. Laden by his extra gifts he tries to siton his back pack, but falls to the ground as the Merano citizens wave him goodbye andleave the stage. (Merano / What A Scene)

The backpacker picks himself up, gathers together his newly acquired possessions andslowly leaves the stage (in a spot light) just behind him (in darkness) Freddie's hotel roomset is pushed into position. The chess floor is raised slightly out of the stage – to enable asmoother lift before a later revolve. The upstage right screen closes, leaving half of thebackdrop on view. The lights fade up on Freddie exercising with dumbbells, playing agame of chess on a computer and then sitting on a rowing machine. Florence arrives witha handful of newspapers. They discuss the press reaction to his behaviour. It becomesclear that they are lovers, but there are some signs of possible strain in the relationship.Florence tries to persuade him to tone down his anti Russian comments at the upcomingpress conference, but Freddie seems unlikely to comply. (Commie Newspaper)

The lights fade, with just Freddie in a spotlight, while the bed is revolved and the tablesand chairs etc. are carried off or moved upstage. Members of the press arrive, bringing onchairs and sitting on these by the time the lights fade up. Freddie is abusive and smug,insisting that he has nothing to fear from his Russian challenger. When a reporter makes aremark about he and Florence being lovers, Freddie flies into a rage, punches thereporter, knocking him to the floor before storming out. Florence is left to deal with thereporters, but she does little more than blame them for Freddie’s reaction. The chess floorrises completely out of its trough and begins to revolve. (Press Conference)

As the floor continues to revolve Anatoly's hotel room comes into view. The chair,dressing screen and bed are the same as those used in Freddie's room - the bed's centredrapes being pulled back to reveal a landscape painting. Freddie's long table is replacedwith a smaller round one. There is also the addition of some electronic equipment,possibly bugging devices. The press conference has been watched on television byAnatoly and his KGB employed second, Alexander Molokov. Molokov believes Freddie ismad, but Anatoly knows that every move made by his opponent is calculated and madewith the intention to unnerve him and cause more publicity. Molokov goes on to imply thatAnatoly will have a tough time beating the American and that perhaps he should not leaveit completely to the moves he makes on the board. We learn that Florence Vassy has anintriguing Hungarian background, “1956 and all that”, but this is all we are told about herat this point. Anatoly is angered to think that Molokov does not believe he can win withoutresorting to underhand tactics. He tells Molokov to get out and find him a chess playingsecond. Left alone, Anatoly reflects with discontent on the way his life has beenmanipulated by his seconds and masters. At the end of the song, one of the Russiandelegates comes to Anatoly's room and offers to play chess with him. Anatoly tells him to,"Go to hell." the lights fade out. (Anatoly & Molokov / Where I Want To Be)

Two delegates are spotlighted downstage, while upstage in darkness the doors for theArbiter’s chamber are flown in from the flies and the curved tables are brought on fromthe wings. As the lights fade up the other Russian and American delegates appear withWalter and Molokov welcoming each other with a friendly handshake. As they await theArbiter's arrival it becomes obvious that the championship battle is really between twonations and not just two individual players. (US v USSR)

Eventually the Arbiter arrives, with his assistants storming through the doors, closelyfollowed by him. He proceeds to express his desire, in no uncertain terms, that thematches should be played without any of the tantrums and disruptions which have

occurred in previous tournaments. A black board is wheeled through the doors, which haswritten on it some of the incidents from those tournaments - chanting guru’s, walk-outs,tempered fists etc. The stage version included an extended instrumental dance break,which saw the Arbiter and his assistants dancing around the chambers and on the tables.(The Arbiter’s Song)

As the song ends the Arbiter takes his seat between the two tables and in front of thedoors. Florence arrives at the end of the Arbiter's song and joins the other Americandelegates at their table. Having got his concerns off his chest the Arbiter is now willing tolisten to any pre match questions or objections. He overrules all the objections raised, butagrees to further consider Walter de Courcey’s request to arrange a display ofmerchandise in the arena. We learn that Walter is representing the television and othercompanies who are making a substantial financial contribution to the tournament. With allobjections dealt with, the Arbiter attempts to remind all concerned that chess is reallywhat matters. He leads the delegates in a rendition of the federation hymn. A large goldentrophy style item with a globe at its top, is carried through the doors by the Arbiter'sassistants and positioned downstage centre. Lights fade down to just a light on the globe,while up stage the Arbiter's doors and tables are removed. (Chess Hymn)

The lights go down on the globe and the upstage screens slide apart to reveal amajorette, cheer leaders and other American themed merchandisers who march onto thestage. The chess floor tilts at the back and lights up in a number of different variations asthe song continues. A row of advertising banners flies in upstage. Two revolving glitterballs also appear from the flies. A second set of advertising banners fly in centre stage.

(These allow the Arbiter's arena desk to be brought onto the stage out of sight a little bitlater when the floor has become level again.) The merchandisers continue to put on alavish display and eventually throw a number of foam frisbees (with a Chess logo stickeron one side) into the audience. They only curtail their commercial assault on the gamewhen they must make way for the actual commencement of the match. (Merchandisers)

Walter is seen ‘directing’ the setting up of the arena. As the merchandisers clear thestage, the floor begins to rise, revolve and tilt. The chess table and chairs are carried intoposition. The stage video wall is seen for the first time as it is lowered from the flies. Thefirst game of the tournament begins with the whole world looking on with interest. On thevideo walls above and at either side of the stage TV reports and commentary from aroundthe world are shown. During the game both players try to annoy and distract each other.Anatoly is fidgety, taps his fingers, and walks about. Freddie becomes annoyed and at onepoint kicks Anatoly under the table. At this, both players jump to their feet, a scufflebegins and Freddie pushes Anatoly, resulting in the table getting knocked and the chesspieces sprawling across the board and onto the floor, Freddie storms out. (Chess #1)

The Arbiter tries to reiterate his belief that he and he alone is in charge and in total controlof the game. (Arbiter – Reprise) Florence is left to defend her player’s behaviour to apompous Molokov, while making it clear she knows the kind of underhand games he isplaying. During the discussions that follow, she an Anatoly talk for the first time. Heappears to show sympathy for what he perceives to be her thankless task of working forFreddie. She makes it clear to him that she is perfectly happy working with the man sheperceives to be the best there is. The Arbiter rambles on about the rules and his powerwithin the arena. (Quartet – A Model of Decorum and Tranquillity)

The Arbiter decrees that both players must return to the match within 24 hours or thegame will be declared null and void, with this he storms out of the arena. Anatoly alsoleaves, while Florence and Molokov remain behind to discuss the situation further.Molokov blames Florence and Freddie for bringing the game into disrepute, but Florenceis quick to retaliate and places the blame firmly on Molokov and Anatoly. Molokov thenmakes his most antagonistic move and raises the subject of Florence’s family background.Furious that he has called her a "Fellow Eastern European", she makes it quite clear thatshe views him and his fellow countrymen as being guilty of robbing her of her people, herhomeland and in particular her father. Unable to defend his country’s actions, Molokovreverts back to the subject of chess. Florence decides that Anatoly and Freddie mustmeet to discuss their differences. She gives Molokov a leaflet for the Merano Mountain Inn

and tells him that this is where the meeting will take place. Towards the end of the scene,the stage slowly returns to a flat position and begins to revolve as the scene ends.(Molokov and Florence)

The floor continues to revolve, bringing what was the back of the Arbiter's arena desk tofront centre stage and it now forms part of a television control desk. The stage video wallremains in position and a black gauze is flown in behind it to hide the set preparations forthe next scene. Florence tracks down Freddie to the control room, where he is arguingwith Walter about the amount of money he is getting paid per game. Freddie is angry thathe is having to deal with Walter and believes that it is Florence who should be lookingafter his business interests. She has had enough of his behaviour and warns him that hewill lose her if he doesn’t change his ways. He tries to disarm her by bringing up the issueof her father and the Hungarian uprising of 1956, during which he went missing and isnow presumed dead. (1956 Budapest is Rising)

Florence is furious that he should use her past to try and bring her back on side, butbefore she can say much he stages another walk out and leaves her on her own. Shebegins to think about her situation and realises that everybody is playing their own gamefor their own motives and perhaps it's time that she did the same. In a state of frustrationshe starts to spin the control desk's swivel chairs and frantically pressing any and allbuttons on the control desk, resulting in her flooding the video wall with 64 images ofherself. At the end of the song, the video wall goes blank and it is flown back into the fliesas the lights fade off. (Nobody’s Side)

Florence is lit by a spotlight as she makes her way to down stage right and puts on hercoat in preparation for her meeting at the Merano inn. As the lights fade up, the MeranoInn set piece is slowly pushed from upstage to centre stage, with the Merano localsdrinking, singing and dancing in front of it. Florence arrives at the inn and is soon joinedby Anatoly. Due to the noise she is unable to hear what he is saying and indicates thatthey should go outside where they wait for Freddie. (Der Kleine Franz)

The chess floor now begins to revolve and rise with the Merano Inn being pushed towardsthe back of the stage, now with its outside walls on view. The Inn is 'anchored' at the veryback of the floor as it settles at an impressive tilt and is underlit in white. (After a fewmonths the inn was considered not as safe as desired and was cut from the show.) On themountain Anatoly and Florence are initially awkward in each other’s company, buteventually discover there is an attraction between them. (Mountain Duet)

Thrown off guard by their feelings and possibly the idyllic nature of the location theygently embrace. Freddie arrives (from inside the inn - though once the inn set wasscrapped, he had to climb up over the edge of the floor via a step ladder.) he is just intime to see their embrace. He is furious, but although he is shocked by Florence’sbehaviour he announces that he has struck a new deal, which means more money forboth players and for that reason he has agreed to continue the game. (Who’d Ever ThinkIt?)

The floor revolves and returns to a flat position. A black screen flies in (to hide theremoval of the inn set) followed by the video wall. The chess table and chairs are broughtcentre stage. The original Arbiter's arena desk is not used in this scene, nor is the floortilted as per Chess #1. As the games proceed, Freddie’s concentration is shattered and bythe end of play he has lost five games and won only two. (Chess #2)

The players stand up from the table and the lights fade, Freddie is picked up by aspotlight, while the bedroom set is quickly brought on stage. In their room, Freddieblames Florence for his sudden loss of form. They throw accusations at each other andeventually Florence packs her bags and leaves him. (Florence Quits)

His rejection by Florence pushes Freddie into a spiral of self pity. He wallows in theunhappiness that was his childhood, which although it provided the catalyst and the forcebehind his initial determination to become a chess grandmaster, now seems to rob him ofhis strength. Without Florence by his side he feels unable to fight for his title any longerand decides to write a letter of resignation from the match. Lights fade with Freddie in aspotlight as he curls up on the bed, fading to darkness as the play-out ends. (Pity TheChild)

Freddie's bedroom set is quickly wheeled off and the Arbiter's chamber doors fly in - thetables are not used for this scene. As the lights fade up, the chess delegates and pressare gathered in the chambers, Anatoly and Florence arrive. Anatoly tries to talk with her,but his delegates prevent him. The Arbiter is handed Freddie's letter and announcesFreddie's resignation. The Russian delegates are obviously delighted and Anatoly isengulfed by them and the press. He breaks free from their embraces and makes his wayto shake hands with Florence. He is about to return to his delegates when he suddenlygrabs her by the hand and runs with her from the chambers. (Defection)

Chaos ensues as everybody tries to work out what has happened. A camera man andreporter record a television announcement downstage centre (picked up in spotlights)

their report being screened on the side video walls, while upstage in darkness theEmbassy set is flown in and the tables and chairs are put in position.

It is now the following day and as Anatoly, Florence and Walter wait to be seen at theBritish Embassy the officials discuss the fact that someone seeking asylum is nothingvery special or of any great importance to them. Their opinions are not altered when theyeventually get to meet Anatoly. Walter makes it clear that he has the backing of a certain'agency' presumably the CIA. Anatoly's asylum is given further consideration. (EmbassyLament)

While Anatoly and Walter remain with the officials going through various papers, Florencemoves to the waiting room. She begins to think about the situation she now finds herselfand how this new relationship might develop in the future. (Heaven Help My Heart)

Anatoly is eventually given his asylum. While Florence, Anatoly and Walter leave theembassy, we see the embassy officials indulging in a game of tiddlywinks, just before thelights fade out.

Anatoly, Florence and Walter make a full circle of the stage, lit by spotlights while thestation set is put in place. Anatoly is totally unaware that the press are waiting for him atthe station, having been given a tip off in advance by Walter. They persistently ask himwhy he is leaving Russia, about his family and if his wife will be joining him in his exile.Frustrated by their intrusion into his life he eventually answers them with a statement thatclaims, although he may cross boarders, his heart will always be with his country. TheTrain Station set is removed, the press and Florence leave and the song continues withAnatoly alone on an empty stage, at the end Florence returns and waits for him upstageleft. (Anthem)

ACT TWO

Act two originally began with an extended version of (Golden Bangkok) incorporatingseveral musical themes from other songs in the show and staged as an oriental ballet. Thecast wore gold satin and silk costumes and Thai style head pieces. The chess board waslit in black and red.

Anatoly and Florence are in Bangkok to defend Anatoly’s title against a new Sovietchallenger. Freddie Trumper is also there, but he has given up playing chess and is nowworking for Global Television as a commentator on the tournament. At the end of theGolden Ballet the dancers run off stage and the upstage screens open to reveal Freddie.For his opening report he records a travelogue of the exotic city of Bangkok. As Freddie

explores the city he meets an array of its exotic and fascinating inhabitants. When hereaches the ‘red light district’ three huge banks of neon signs are flown in. The only setpiece on the stage is a bar counter that doubles as a massage parlour table. At the end ofthe song, Freddie does a report about the upcoming tournament, this is recorded live by acamera on stage and relayed to the two side video walls and on the TV in Florence andAnatoly’s hotel room. (One Night In Bangkok)

As Freddie is doing his speech, lit only by a spotlight, the set for Florence and Anatoly’shotel room is moved into position. The back screens open to reveal a beautiful skyline ofThai temple roofs. As the lights come up, they are seen watching Freddie’s report ontelevision. Anatoly uses the remote to change the channel and Abba's video for Money,Money, Money comes on the screen. He switches back to Freddie's report then turns offthe television. He seems distressed by the fact that Freddie is in Bangkok and worriedthat he might be there to try and win back Florence. She assures him that Freddie is onlythere for the money. Florence brings up the subject of Anatoly’s wife, Svetlana, who isrumoured to be planning to come to Bangkok. Anatoly assures her that he knew nothingabout this and that it is obviously Molokov who has arranged it. Together they realise thattheir lives could become difficult now that other forces are being brought in to bear ontheir relationship. At the end of the song Anatoly receives a phone call telling him the carhas arrived to take him to a television interview that Walter has arranged. (You And I)

As Anatoly prepares to leave the hotel, the floor begins to revolve, revealing a room in thehotel where Molokov has gathered his cronies. We hear Florence's last words from theprevious scene coming over a speaker in the room, revealing to us that the Russian's havebugged her and Anatoly's room.

Molokov is delighted with the effect the threat of Svetlana’s presence is already having onAnatoly. He tries to convince his cronies to be as confident as he is about the outcome ofthe forthcoming matches. Their new man, Leonid Viigand, is 'a disciplined Soviet chessplaying machine', who Anatoly has no hope of defeating. The delegates spend the nightdrinking and are soon as enthusiastic about Molokov's plans and he is. They growincreasingly jovial, resulting in an energetic display of Russian dancing. (The SovietMachine)

As the night draws on, Molokov’s cronies begin to fall asleep where they are sitting, allexcept Viigand who has sat playing chess throughout the revelry, totally oblivious to hissurroundings. When he completes the game and leaves for bed, Molokov makes atelephone call to Walter de Courcey. He explains that he has proof that Florence’s father isstill alive and if Walter wants to stage a great human rights victory then they are going tobe able to help each other. Molokov gives a waiter an envelope for Walter and as thewaiter is seen walking across the front of the stage in a spotlight, the Soviet Machine setis removed.

The stage video wall flies in and two trucks with a sofa and a news desk are wheeled on,along with two television cameras. In the studio Walter and Freddie discuss the interviewthat Walter has arranged with Anatoly, though he omitted to tell him who his interviewerwould be. Walter had originally told Freddie that the interview should be a genuineinterview about chess, but now after hearing from Molokov he tells Freddie he can 'go forthe jugular just like he wanted'. Anatoly arrives and although shocked to see Freddie inthe interviewer’s seat he allows the interview to begin. The ‘broadcast’ is screened onboth the stage and side video walls. Freddie puts Anatoly under considerable stress byasking a host of personal questions, about Florence, his wife, politics but never aboutchess. Anatoly eventually storms out when a video of Svetlana is shown. (TV Interview)

The television studio set is wheeled off and the stage is left clear, though the stage videowall briefly continues to show an image of Molokov talking with Svetlana. As variousmembers of the delegations, hotel guests, Florence, Antoly, Freddie etc. arrive on stage,the floor tilts slightly at the back, lights up as a chess board and then in various other'chasing' combinations of lighting sequences and blocks of white squares. The stagevideo wall shows a chess board and various game scores throughout The Deal. The floorslowly levels out and rises from its trough as Molokov speaks with Svetlana, who has nowarrived in Bangkok and is promptly told by Molokov that she must tell her husband that hemust lose the game.

The floor begins to revolve as Svetlana moves towards Anatoly and tries to convince himthat he should throw the match for her sake and his family’s.

The floor continues to revolve throughout the following mini scenes.

Walter tries to convince Florence that her father is alive and that to secure his release shemust convince Anatoly to throw the match. Florence refuses to strike any deal.

Walter tries to bluff Molokov into thinking that Florence was happy to go along with theirplan. He is not so easily convinced so Walter suggests that Freddie may be able to help.

Walter tells Freddie that he has got a deal to get Florence’s father out of prison, but if hewants to help her he must convince Anatoly to throw the game. Anatoly is less thaninterested in hearing what Freddie has to say and refuses any kind of deal.

Freddie then tries to make up with Florence, with the promise that if she comes back tohim they can once again be a great chess team. Florence is not interested in bringingback their golden era and rejects Freddie once again. Freddie admits to Florence that hestill loves her, but she still ignores his pleas. During this section the floor comes to a haltin its normal position, tilted slightly at the back. (The Deal)

As the stage clears, the video wall flies out and a set of lattice and louvered arches fly in.Florence and Svetlana are making their own exits when they notice each other. They bothfeel certain that they know what is best for Anatoly, though they both think differentlyabout what exactly that is. As they discuss their situation it becomes clear that Anatoly isa complicated man who neither of them can ever truly understand. (I Know Him So Well)

At the end of the song Florence and Svetlana leave and the arches fly out. The backsliders open to reveal a beautiful Bangkok skyline and a group of Buddest Monks whowalk to centre stage into a temple set that has flown in from the flies. This was originallycalled the Temple of the Reclining Budha, but when it was realised that the Budha thatwas visible in the set was not reclining, it was changed to the Golden Budha. The monkssit down to pray in the middle of the temple.

Anatoly arrives, reading from a piece of paper.“Meet me in the temple of theReclining/Golden Buddha. Meet who?” He soon discovers who, when Freddie arrives andclaims to have noticed a flaw in Viigand’s strategies. Because he loves chess so much hesays that he wants to help Anatoly. The monks stand up and leave stage left and right.Anatoly is surprised but grateful for Freddie's advice and they proceed to look at variousmoves on a pocket chess set. Anatoly seems convinced that Freddie's love of the game isgenuine and when he asks him if he could ever lose a game for the wrong reason, Freddiesimply says, “How could you let mediocrity win.” and leaves. (Talking Chess)

The Temple set flies out as the back sliders open to reveal the chorus lined up as in achoir and singing the Champions introduction. Anatoly remains on the floor in a spotlightfor several minutes, contemplating what Freddie has shown and said to him. He eventuallygets up and leaves as the chorus begin to move forward. They make a slow processiontowards the front of the stage, with the floor slowly rising and then revolving into asubstantial rake as the chorus, Anatoly, Florence etc. take their positions.

Although in reality Anatoly is playing Viigand, during this scene only Anatoly is seen at thechess board, which is positioned at the front of the stage with Anatoly facing theaudience. The stage video wall is not used for this scene, though at certain points scoresare shown on the side walls. Throughout the game Anatoly deals with his demons, hisemotions and his conscience while being analysed and judge by all and sundry. In the endhe fights for the championship and retains his title. (Endgame)

As Anatoly is declared the winner, the floor begins to lower and revolve back to its normalposition. Everybody leaves the stage and only Anatoly and Florence remain. Anatolyexplains that he had to win to be free from the kind of bureaucracy that Molokovrepresents. Florence claims that neither of them is free and that he has to go back toRussia, to his wife and family. Anatoly mentions her father and they confirm that onceagain life is preventing them from being together.

They do a circuit of the stage, while the back drop changes to show a night time image ofan airport runway. At the airport they say their farewells, both painfully aware that theirstory will never have the chance to be completed but still wishing they could believe thatit could have had a happy ending. (You And I)

Left alone at the airport Florence is approached by Walter who tells her that he believesAnatoly’s return to the Soviet Union was a very generous gesture and that in return shewill get her father back soon, though this will depend on him still being alive, which, itseems nobody is actually certain about.

Florence realises that she and Anatoly have been tricked and used like pawns in thegames that have been played around them. Devastated by her situation she realises thatshe is once again little more than a refugee with only herself to rely on.

The back screens begin to close, lights on the airport backdrop fade, while the Arbitermakes his way to centre stage and the rest of the chorus slowly make their way double filedown each side of the board. (Anthem Reprise)

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