Live and Lovely: Chess at the Royal Albert Hall

So, you've just finished with one of the world's biggest and most amazing pop groups ever. You could probably do anything you darn well wanted to. So why on earth would you make a musical about a romance at a chess match set during the cold war? Because you are a genius that's why. Benny and Bjorn Abba teamed up with lyricist Tim Rice to create something that on paper sounds an absolute snooze but on disc (and live for it's 21st Anniversary Concert) is an absolute corker. The thing that is so noticeable about Chess is that it's actually a musical full of great pop songs. And these pop songs are originally for the musical, rather than songs taken from the catalogue of pop and inserted into a musical (a la We Will Rock You, Mama Mia, Tonight's The Night et al). There are elements of opera, rock, balladry that ranks up there with the most heartbreaking of Abba's songs, electro-tinged pop and even choir type numbers that almost indicate what Opus Ten would have been like if Abba had stayed together. The musical had a rocky run on Broadway back in the 80s but went on to be well known if only for the concept album that launched it. 21 years later, the Royal Albert Hall in London was packed out for the all star cast revival...

And what a cast. Idina "Elphaba" Menzel takes the role of Florence (the lover), while Josh Groban does an outstanding job with the reluctant protaganist husband Anatoly. Adam Pascal is electrifying as the selfish, manipulative, spiteful and desperate for money American Freddy. Tim Rice came out at the beginning to introduce the cast and launch into the presentation of the Chess he always wanted to make - a subtle political commentary through the focus on a game of chess. And it was cast brilliantly. Idina was received as pretty much a superstar while Josh's voice was perfect for the role he was given - indeed his Act One Finale number "Anthem", well you could almost hear a pin drop during it and the place erupted when he released the last note. An incredible performance. The dancers and chorus were also flawless throughout the whole show - an utter delight to listen to and watch. However, you could almost sense people waiting for the "big numbers" - the ones that had hit the pop charts in the 80s, and subsequently been covered by Steps, A*Teens and uh, C-21. One Night in Bangkok remains a terrific little pop number - all pseudo rapping and a dark menacing chorus disguised in a perky but slightly ominous pop beat. Adam Pascal did an excellent job and his projection and diction on the song were right on the money. Kerry Ellis (who has also played Elphaba) duetted with Idina on "I Know Him So Well" and while both gave an incredible vocal performance, Kerry was just - wow. It really was a wow moment. I never realised how sardonic the song is before either... All in all, a winning performance of a much maligned musical that I can't wait to come to DVD...

LINK: Stage shots courtesy of Ice The Site
LINK: Download the concert recording at Singing Stage