Sydney (1990)

The **production in Sydney in 1990** was a major production of Chess with a new script by Tim Rice and direction by Jim Sharman.

## Synopsis

### Act 1

Beginning Act 1, the Arbiter tells the history of chess ("The Story of Chess") and introduces the tournament in Bangkok, announcing the competitors, Frederick Trumper and Anatoly Sergievsky. The members of the two delegations each introduce themselves to the other: Florence Vassy and Walter DeCourcey on the American side, and Alexander Molokov and Svetlana Sergievskaya on the Soviet side ("Introductions"). Freddie and Anatoly spend the night exploring and enjoying Bangkok ("One Night In Bangkok"). Before the tournament, the two delegations make their petitions for last-minute adjustments to the rules overseen by The Arbiter ("US vs USSR"). The Arbiter sings his song warning the players against any shenanigans ("The Arbiter's Song"). The tournament begins, with chess games interspersed with Walter's advertisements ("The Merchandisers' Song"). Freddie interrupts one game to accuse the Soviet delegation of cheating, declaring that he won't continue to play until he's given an apology, and walks out. Molokov attempts to have Freddie disqualified, leaving Florence to argue Freddie's case to The Arbiter ("Quartet"). The Arbiter lays the blame on both delegations and declares both players must be back at the board within 36 hours or the match will be cancelled. Florence and Molokov agree to bring both of their players to a restaurant to come to an agreement.

Back at the American delegation's hotel room, Freddie and Florence have an argument wherein Florence vents years' worth of pent-up frustrations and Freddie attempts to use Florence's past trauma to manipulate her into being on his side ("Argument"). Alone, Florence airs all her trust issues and her budding interest in Anatoly ("Nobody's Side"). Meanwhile, Molokov and Svetlana attempt to downplay Freddie's behavior and calm Anatoly down. Svetlana expresses concern for their marriage and whether chess is healthy for Anatoly. Anatoly snaps at the both of them ("Argument"), and, once alone, he vaguely recounts his journey and admits that he still isn't happy, despite achieving the things he always wanted to ("Where I Want To Be").

Before the meeting at the high-class restaurant, Molokov and Walter have talk hinting at a long history and overtly-political cold war backstory. Molokov asks for information on Florence and Freddie's relationship, which Walter doesn't give. Florence, alone, interrupts their conversation. Molokov leaves to take a telephone call, and Walter leaves Florence and Anatoly to negotiate after giving Anatoly his "interview details" ("Cocktail Chorus"). While waiting for Freddie to appear, Florence and Anatoly have anxious internal monologues and eventually begin talking, wherein they quickly become infatuated with each other ("Terrace Duet"). Freddie walks in on their dance and kiss, and becomes angry with both of them, revealing he's already come to a deal. Walter gives Freddie a quick pep-talk, and Freddie and Anatoly have a heated argument ("No Contest").

The Arbiter announces Freddie has resigned the third game. Walter whisks Anatoly away for his "interview." Afterwards, Freddie and Florence argue and say a lot of nasty things to each other, culminating in Florence walking out ("Florence Quits"). The Arbiter then announces that Anatoly has just defected from the Soviet Union and is seeking asylum at the British embassy, but that he plans to continue playing in the tournament. Molokov and Svetlana express shock and dismay. Florence muses on the situation she's found herself in, including her sudden affair with a man she barely knows and her concern for the future of their relationship ("Heaven Help My Heart").

### Act 2

Walter brings Anatoly to the British embassy so he can deny any American involvement in the defection. However, when they get there, the civil servants are less than eager to help Anatoly defect, but he eventually gets the papers he wants ("Embassy Lament"). When Anatoly returns to the hotel, however, he finds Svetlana there. She wonders why Anatoly left her, but admits that their marriage had been falling apart for a while ("You And I"). Anatoly leaves the hotel room to find a crowd of reporters, assembled by Walter. They ask why he has left Russia, but he responds that he will never truly leave his homeland ("Anthem"). Back in the hotel room, Svetlana contemplates the future of her own life ("Someone Else's Story").

While Florence is moving in with Anatoly, Freddie encounters her with her bags. He tries to convince her to return and be a team together again, but she refuses ("Departure"). Faced with this refusal, he reflects on his own life ("Pity The Child").

In the hotel gym, Molokov reassures the Russian delegation that no matter what Anatoly does, they will come out on top. If he loses, then they can say he was badly affected by the defection, if he wins, then they can point out that all his learning was done in Russia, and on the off-chance he doesn't show up, then he may even return to the Soviet Union ("The Soviet Machine"). Molokov calls Walter, telling him that Florence's father is alive.

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").

The final game of the match is about to begin, but Anatoly is late. The crowd wonder how he could ever throw away his success, but he eventually arrives. Anatoly and Freddie are both distracted throughout the match, but eventually Anatoly builds up his resolve, and makes the winning move, before telling the spectators that he will be returning to the Soviet Union ("Endgame").

Freddie approaches Florence, apologizing for his actions and telling her that he plans to stay in Bangkok and retire from chess. Walter also approaches her, revealing that they were never sure her father was actually alive ("Departure"). Florence and Anatoly reflect on their short-lived relationship, both wondering if it may have gone differently, or if it was doomed from the beginning ("You And I (Reprise)")

## Track List

### Act 1

1. Prelude
2. The Story of Chess
3. Introductions
4. One Night In Bangkok
5. Chess Anthem
6. US vs USSR
7. The Arbiter's Song
8. The Merchandisers' Song
9. Quartet (Decorum & Tranquility)
10. Argument
11. Nobody's Side
12. Argument
13. Where I Want To Be
14. Cocktail Chorus
15. Terrace Duet
16. No Contest
17. Florence Quits
18. Heaven Help My Heart
19. Bangkok Ensemble

### Act 2

1. Prelude
2. Embassy Lament
3. You And I
4. Anthem
5. Someone Else's Story
6. Departure
7. Pity The Child
8. The Soviet Machine
9. The Deal
10. I Know Him So Well
11. Endgame
12. Departure
13. You And I (Reprise)