Chess - UK tour = Style over Substance — Page 2

The Chess tour, curious to find out what version of Chess the show has adopted or nearest to? would you say Royal Albert Hall?

Very much the original London version with a few line changes as per RAH version. As mentioned Merano was cut (before previews began) I think it's a shame too, as it makes the opening confusing if you don't know the story.

Pity the Child is (as in London) in Act 1, everything else is really just like the original (with Someone Else's Story inserted in Act 2 as per RAH) at the end there is no scene between Florence and Walter (as there was in London) again, a bit of a shame I feel, as this makes the ending less effective -though Shona's Anthem Reprise sounds wonderful.

Hope that answers your question as to which version...

I should have mentioned that there is no 'Objections' scene like there was in London and that 'Der Kleine Franz' is not sung before 'Mountain Duet'.

To be honest there are so few differences between the London version and the RAH version that they really are one and the same. Only a few lines and words were changed for the RAH and of course 'Someone Else's Story' was added. 'Pity the Child' was moved to Act 2 (as per the Concept Album)and a few new lines were added to 'Talking Chess', but really unless you were following the London script word for word you would notice hardly any difference between the London & RAH versions.

In the touring production, a reprise of 'Pity The Child' is added just after 'The Deal', from what I remember it is more or less the lyrics from the Concept Album from Freddie's section within 'Florence Quits'.

Each production of Chess means there's one less variation left to be staged!!!!