London (1986)

The **production on the West End in 1986** was the first stage production of *Chess*. It was directed by Trevor Nunn and had a book by Tim Rice.

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## Synopsis

### Act 1

The Arbiter opens the show, recounting the history of chess ("Prologue: The Story of Chess"), and informs the audience that the Chess World Championship is taking place in Merano, Italy, between Frederick Trumper of the United States, the World Champion, and the challenger, Anatoly Sergievsky of the Soviet Union. As the citizens of Merano prepare for the championship ("Merano"), Freddie arrives and ignores the citizens' welcome ("Rock-Merano").

While Freddie is in his room practicing against a computer, his second, Hungarian-born Florence Vassy arrives, and the two discover that the media have been very negative about Freddie ("American Suite"). Freddie holds a press conference, where the media press him with questions about his behavior, his lust for money, and his objections during match negotiations. When one reporter insinuates he is in a relationship with Florence, he assaults them and storms out, leaving Florence to pick up the pieces ("Press Conference").

Anatoly and his KGB-employed second, Alexander Molokov, have been watching the press conference on TV, and Molokov insists that Freddie is insane, which Anatoly corrects him on, pointing that every insane move is a calculated one ("The Russian and Molokov"). When Molokov leaves, Anatoly reflects on his rise to the top and his dissatisfaction with his life. ("Where I Want To Be").

At the opening ceremony, the opposing delegations meet kindly, but each privately insist their player will win (''Diplomats"). The Arbiter asserts his authority over the match, then leads a debate between the opposing delegations about various minutia of the match ("The Arbiter"), then leads the company in a celebration of the spirit of chess ("Hymn To Chess"). Suddenly, a group of merchandisers arrive, offering their wares to everyone ("Merchandisers").

During the first few games, the tension builds and Freddie tosses the board aside and storms out ("Chess #1"). Florence, Anatoly, Molokov, and the Arbiter are left to argue, and Florence unsuggessfully tries to defend Freddie's indefensible actions ("Quartet"). After, Florence and Molokov arrange a meeting between the two players at the Merano Mountain Inn to bring the match back together ("Florence and Molokov").

Florence arrives at the TV studio to find Freddie trying to renegotiate his contract with his TV agent, Walter DeCourcey. After being unsuccessful, he and Florence get into an argument, where he tries to use the death of her father against her ("The American and Florence"). After, she reaffirms that she can only rely on herself ("Nobody's Side").

Florence arrives at the Inn. Freddie is not there. She and Anatoly go outside to get away from the noise. While waiting for Freddie, the two end up falling in love. Soon, however, Freddie arrives, and explains that since he has renegotiated his contract, he will be continuing the match without any need for reconciliation ("Mountain Duet").

Soon, however, Freddie begins losing the match ("Chess #2"). Once the score reaches 5-2 in favor of Anatoly, Freddie begins accusing Florence of intentionally making him lose. The two get into an argument and eventually Florence quits and leaves him ("Florence Quits"). Freddie breaks down in a fit of self-pity ("Pity The Child").

Freddie resigns from the match, and Anatoly (now the World Champion) announces that he is defecting to the west ("Defection"). At the British embassy, the civil servants are less than enthusiastic about helping him, but eventually he gets everything approved ("Embassy Lament"). Florence contemplates the future of her relationship with Anatoly ("Heaven Help My Heart").

As Anatoly and Florence are about to leave from the train station, they are accosted by a group of reporters assembled by Walter. One asks why Anatoly is leaving Russia ("The Man With The Golden Passport"), but Anatoly responds by saying that he will never truly leave his homeland ("Anthem").

### Act 2

One year later, the World Championship is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand ("Golden Bangkok"). Anatoly is defending his title against a new Soviet opponent: Leonid Viigand. Freddie arrives there, as a reporter for Walter's television company ("One Night In Bangkok"). Florence and Anatoly have been open lovers since his defection, but they soon find out that Anatoly's wife, Svetlana, is coming to Bangkok ("Scene 15").

Meanwhile, Molokov reassures his cronies that Viigand plays like a machine and can win easily ("The Soviet Machine"). He then calls Walter, and proposes a deal to release Florence's father if Anatoly returns to Russia. Walter tells Freddie to go vicious against Anatoly in their interview. Freddie does, and soon Anatoly angrily walks out ("The Interview").

Molokov pressures Svetlana into getting Anatoly to return, but when she tries, he refuses. Walter tells Florence her father is alive, but she does not believe him. When Molokov and Walter review their progress, Walter proposes bringing Freddie into the deal. Freddie tries to convince Anatoly to throw the match for Florence's sake, but he refuses. Freddie then once again tries to get Florence to come back to him, but she again refuses ("The Deal"). Florence and Svetlana both sing, and express their belief that Anatoly would be better off with the other ("I Know Him So Well").

Anatoly receives a mysterious letter, instructing him to go to Wat Pho. When Anatoly arrives, he find Freddie there. Freddie explains that he has found a flaw in Viigand's strategy that Anatoly can take advantage of easily ("Temple Scene"). At the final game, Molokov and Walter are confident Anatoly is under too much pressure to win, while Florence suggest that the success has gone to his head. During the game, Anatoly hardens his resolve to win, but Florence and Svetlana both point out the detrimental effect he has on everyone around him. Eventually, however, he wins the game ("Endgame").

Florence and Anatoly meet one last time, and agree it would be best for him to return his family ("Before You And I (Russian and Florence at the Airport)"). They reflect on the end of their relationship together ("You And I"). After Anatoly leaves, Florence is approached by Walter, who tells her that they are not actually sure that her father was alive. Distraught, she repeats Anatoly's earlier words about her homeland ("Finale").

## Song List

### Act 1

1. Prologue: The Story of Chess
2. Merano
3. Rock-Merano
4. Merano (Reprise)
5. American Suite
6. Press Conference
7. The Russian and Molokov
8. Where I Want To Be
9. Diplomats
10. The Arbiter
11. Hymn To Chess
12. Merchandisers
13. Opening 1st Game
14. Chess #1
15. The Arbiter (Reprise)
16. Quartet
17. Florence and Molokov
18. The American and Florence
19. Nobody's Side
20. Der Kleine Franz
21. Mountain Duet
22. Chess #2
23. Florence Quits
24. Pity The Child
25. Defection
26. Embassy Lament
27. Heaven Help My Heart
28. The Man With The Golden Passport
29. Anthem

### Act 2

1. Golden Bangkok
2. One Night In Bangkok
3. Scene 15
4. The Soviet Machine
5. The Interview
6. The Deal (Part 1)
7. The Deal (Part 2)
8. The Deal (Part 3)
9. I Know Him So Well
10. Temple Scene
11. Endgame (Part 1)
12. Endgame (Part 2)
13. Endgame (Part 3)
14. Endgame (Part 4)
15. Before You And I (Russian and Florence at the Airport)
16. You And I
17. Finale

### Notes

1. ↑ Later usually named "Commie Newspapers"
2. ↑ Initially "The Golden Ballet"
3. ↑ Composed of "One More Opponent" and "You And I"
4. ↑ Later called "Talking Chess"