Chess the Musical at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh Review

Reviewed by Emily Crombie

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland enthralled the audience at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh last night in their performance of Chess the Musical.

Written by Tim Rice and music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (of ABBA fame), Chess was first performed in the West End in 1986 where it ran for 3 years.

As one of the lesser known musicals, the plot and much of the music was new to me although I recognised some of the songs such as I Know Him so Well which was made famous by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson when they reached number one in the charts in 1985.

Chess is set in the midst of the Cold War in 1984 and 1985. The first act is set in Merano, Italy where two Grand-Master’s Freddie Trumper from the USA and Anatoly Sergievsky of Russia battle for the World Chess Championship but there is also a parallel theme of the political clash between the two countries at that time. Act two is set in Bangkok at the following years tournament where the show reaches its conclusion.

The staging is creative and complex with the suspended chess board, atmospheric lighting and on-stage filming live on screens.

Daisy Ann Fletcher put heart and soul into her performance as Florence Vassy with a performance to rival any West End show. Barney Wilkinson brought the colourful American, Trumper to life, a perfect contrast to the more sombre Russian, Sergievsky (Jamie Pritchard).

The show was outstanding from start to finish. It is delightful to see Scotland producing such a high calibre of performer. The cast, band, creative and production team all being students of the various courses at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The Festival Theatre is in Edinburgh’s City Centre on Nicolson Street and is accessible by bus train or car. The theatre although externally modern has an opulent and traditional interior where it seats almost 2000 people. It is well equipped with lifts and accessible toilets. The staff are exceptionally helpful which completes the whole theatre experience.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17.50 to £29.50 (booking fees may apply).

Chess the Musical is at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh from 30 March to 1 April 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.edtheatres.com or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.

Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000