MUSICAL: CHESS

REVIEW BY SUNDAY FRANCIS-REISS

Think back to 1984 and radio hits like, One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well. Both are highlights of the Balmain Light Opera Company’s production of Chess.

Director Mark Hoath first saw the show at the same venue twenty years ago, and ‘always hoped to be part of it.’ A rock-opera about the cold war, the action takes the form of a love triangle between an American and a Russian champion, and the woman who manages one, and falls in love with the other.

Chess is full of hummable tunes, as one would expect of such a famous collaboration: The music is written by Abba’s Benny and Bjorn, and the lyrics by Tim Rice, famous for productions such as Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.

Ed Steiner plays the American, and is described by Hoath as having a ‘sensational’ voice. Florence is played by classically trained 19yr old Lucy Bukoc. Pat Yulowa, a regular on the amateur musical circuit, takes the role of the Russian. The performances are strong individually and en masse, and the 25-piece orchestra plays with verve the songs that run across all areas of pop.

Chess
8-17 May
Theatre Royal, King St Sydney
$58-40-$68-40
Bookings: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au