Actors make right moves in Chess - The Musical (From Swindon Advertiser)

Actors make right moves in Chess - The Musical

12:56pm Tuesday 8th November 2011 in Reviews

Chess is an ambitious production for an amateur company. Director of Theatre Ink, Barry Austin, has my admiration for even giving it a go.

It is a musical that has singing throughout, rather in the style of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The score is incredibly difficult for amateurs. The orchestra was tucked away in a room with the MD. He was conducting the company through monitors high in the auditorium ceiling. That said the leading men in this production had strong voices. David Emms sang with a rich tone to his voice. Joel Segura, who stepped into the role at a fairly late date, had an angry interpretation which was just right for the role. He also has a good acting ability which came over to the audience. Simon Roberts, Mike Viret and Richard Parker portrayed their characters well.

Rachel Wright, as Florence, played her role with confidence. No mean feat.

Lisa Aust, as Svetlana, came into proceedings late in the production and I have to say I enjoyed her performance. Her voice suited the songs and she sang them extremely well.

The ensemble must have worked very hard to learn all the notes and words for this production. So credit to them too.

A lot of work goes into staging a production like this. Scenery and lighting was good, even if it was almost the same throughout. The huge chess pieces, painted by artist, Mark Amis, who sculpted the clapping hands outside the Arts Centre, were excellent.

With all members of the cast having a personal microphone sound must have been a nightmare to sort out.

Was this a show for me? It was all a bit too static overall and I felt the orchestra needed a little more time. Oh and that isn’t just my opinion by the way.

I listened to the comments as I left the theatre. I look forward to Theatre Inks next production. They always come up with something different. - Ros Hollands