[denverroad]

Apparently there is a strong possibility of a Tim Rice backed tour of the musical Chess for the UK in 2010.

[VelmaMaureen]

Cool! But I heard Tim say in an interview that he only wants there to be another production of Chess if they rewrite the book, or something like that. I've never seen it and know nothing about it, though, this was just something I heard on the radio.

[em_vg]

ooooh I love Chess

[Distant_Cousin]

Well he still didn't get it right with the RAH Concert. Having been, and watched it back a few times, it still needs significantly pruning. Less ensemble sections, less ballet chess moves, and something that focuses squarely on the characterisation of the protagonists.

[ptwest]

It is one of my favourite scores - I really liked the initial UK tour version that came round in 1990. The less said about the 1996 tour (or what was left of it after cancellations) the better!

Lets hope that if it comes to fruition this year that it is a version that does it justice.

[Job]

Hope they incorporate the changes made to the Swedish production from 2003/4. Included 4 new songs and characters beefed up - plot condensed to 4 days - you can relate to the characters more. Check out the DVD that was released - really stunning production - less politics and chess - more about the characters relationships with each other.

I disagree totally with you! The Swedish rewrite is an embarrassing mishmash (One Night in Bangkok as a disco track - I ask you) that drags interminably and has no momentum. It departs from the original so much that you forget what you loved about the show in the first place. It's hateful - I can't bear to watch it.

[curzon]

I disagree totally with you! The Swedish rewrite is an embarrassing mishmash (One Night in Bangkok as a disco track - I ask you) that drags interminably and has no momentum. It departs from the original so much that you forget what you loved about the show in the first place. It's hateful - I can't bear to watch it.

I absolutely agree - it is mind bogglinglingly awful from every point of view. I have never managed to watch all of it...

Seb

[curzon]

I think it should just be a CD/concert piece. The story is hopeless. Impossible to care about any of the characters. They've rewritten it so many times. I say give up. Great score and lyrics though.

Hi, PG. I don't agree that the work is hopeless. It can be made to work but it needs a lot of help. We produced an edition which ran for only just over 2 hours (minus the interval) and it worked really well and was very moving.

Seb