chess programme wed 20/2/08 10:49 page 1 - hitchin … · musical director chess programme wed...

March 2008The Gordon Craig Theatre,

Stevenage

THE HITCHIN THESPIANS

Chess programme wed 20/2/08 10:49

Best wishes to Hitchin Thespians on their forthcoming production of

‘CHESS’

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TO ACCESS ROYAL DISCOUNTSCONTACT MIKE BARKER ON:

FP EXECUTIVE AGENCY LTD130 High Street Barkway Herts SG8 8EG

Tel: 01763 849360 Fax: 01763 848900Mobile: 07740 617918

Email: [email protected]


THE HITCHIN THESPIANS PRESENT

Monday 10th March toSaturday 15th March 2008The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage

Music by

Benny Andersson and

Bjorn Ulvaeus

Lyrics by

Tim RiceBased on an idea by

Tim Rice

Music by

Benny Andersson and

Bjorn Ulvaeus

Lyrics by

Tim RiceBased on an idea by

Tim RiceProduction Director

Jim SnellMusical Director

Mike PayneChoreographer

Mollie Gilbert

Production Director

Jim SnellMusical Director

Mike PayneChoreographer

Mollie Gilbert

In 1902 Miss Pepper,returning to Hitchin aftera visit to the southcoast, told her friend,Mrs Walter Carling, of aperformance she hadseen there. Hitchin, she

said, must have an operatic society. Mrs Carling agreed, and arranged a localperformance, by ladies only, of Coleridge Taylor's "The Gitanos". On February21st 1903, a decision was taken, to form the Hitchin Amateur Light OperaCompany, with the Reverend G.B. Gainsford, as president. In its early years, theSociety devoted itself largely to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. In March1905, the name was changed, for the sake of brevity, to Hitchin Thespians.Though the Society suspended its activities during World War 1, the popularityof its shows grew rapidly in post-war years. In May 1933, "The Desert Song"was played to almost 10,000 people in a week at the Hermitage Cinema! In1958 the Thespians purchased the freehold of the Old Guild Rooms in Paynes Park, in which they had rehearsed for a number of years, for £750.In 1977 the Society presented "Robert and Elizabeth" in Stevenage's new Gordon Craig Theatre, where it still continues to stage its major productions. Its policy has been to present, whenever possible, the first performance of newly released shows, of near-professional standard.

MUSICAL THEATRE Each year we present two fully staged musicals at TheGordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. We thrive on challenge and have presentedsome shows that many other societies are wary of. In addition there are occasionally smaller scale productions of musicals which are performed at our purpose built rehearsal suite, Woodside Hall, or at the Town Hall, Hitchin.Groups of members are also welcomed to get together and perform concertsand shows with a smaller cast.

CONCERTS AND CHORAL WORKS In addition to our musical theatre activitieswe have a thriving choir. The variety of music performed by this group is staggering, as one member put it - "from Bach to Bernstein!"There are typically three concerts each year, often performed at Woodside Hall, butsometimes in surroundings that might suit the performance better such as the lovely parish church of St. Mary's in Hitchin.

WORKSHOPS AND SPONSORSHIPS We are proud to fulfil our educationalaims and ambitions through workshops and sponsorships. In recent years wehave sponsored members to attend voice and performance training at theLittle Benslow Music School in Hitchin and have also been arranged for members to participate in masterclasses with professional singers and voicecoaches. One of our Musical directors has also led a fascinating series of lectures on wide-ranging aspects of music.

The Hitchin Thespians - About us...


Welcome to our March 2008 production of ‘Chess’! I firstheard the music from ‘Chess’ back in the 1980s when it was released as a concept album ahead of the show. I wasimmediately struck by its fantastic and varied score andlooked forward to the day when I could be a part of it.We are delighted to welcome the very talented Mike Payne as our musical director for this show. The company havethoroughly enjoyed working with him and we hope that it willbe his first of many shows with us. As ever it has been a pleasure to work under the direction of Jim Snell.We next retuen to The Gordon Craig Theatre in October for thatall time favourite Doris Day musical, Calamity Jane and wehope you will join us again then. We are also delighted to havesecured the rights to bring you Sweeney Todd next March hereat the Gordon Craig Theatre. In the meantime I hope you enjoytonight’s show and look forward to seeing you at futureThespian productions.

Tom Evans - Chairman,Hitchin Thespians

From theChairman....HITCHIN THESPIANSOFFICERS 2007/2008PRESIDENT: Derek JenkinsCHAIRMAN: Tom EvansTREASURER: Trevor HiornsGENERAL SECRETARY: Lucy Miller-WhitePRODUCTION MANAGER: Sarah BailesCHORAL MANAGER: Susan OsbournBUSINESS MANAGER: Nick MorganWOODSIDE HALL MANAGER: Ann CrookSOCIAL & FUNDRAISING: Vivienne TadmanCOMMITTEE MEMBER: Geraldine HiornsCOMMITTEE MEMBER: Melanie PlowmanCOMMITTEE MEMBER: Ron BurtonLIFE MEMBERS:Olive Ansell, Ann Crook, Brenda Cundell,Marianne Hargraves, Audrey Jenkins,Derek Jenkins, Denis Rowland, Gordon Wharton

HONORARY MEMBERS:Bert Broe, Mollie Gilbert, Edgar Gilbert,Roger Heath, Alfons Krupp, Bernard Mallett,Richard Moore, Jim Snell, Justin ThomasTHECOMPANY...


If you are interested in joining the Society as either a member or a patron, then please contact:-

Lucy Miller-White - Hon. Secretary, 4 Half Acre, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2XLTel: 01462 458803 or email: [email protected]

Alternatively, if you would prefer you can join our ‘SHOW MAILING LIST’

For all up-to-date news and information, don’t forget to log on to...

www.hitchinthespians.org.uk

THEPRODUCTION TEAM Jim works extensively with

societies throughout the HomeCounties and has won many

NODA awards for 'Best Production'. This is his 45thshow for Hitchin Thespians. He will be directing forBishops Stortford, Wembley and Broxbourne operaticsocieties, and then returning to us next Spring to stage‘Sweeney Todd’. He is an active voluntary fundraiser for'Breakthrough' - the Breast Cancer Research charity.

JIM SNELLPRODUCTIONDIRECTOR

Mollie has been Choreographerfor many Thespian productionsand in the 1950’s was a dancer

as well as an assistant choreographer. She is well known in Hitchin, having been Principal of the Granville School ofDance for more than 40 years, during which time manypupils have had very successful ballet, stage and teachingcareers. Mollie has five grand-daughters, two of whom haveappeared as dancers in our previous productions. Mollieenjoys gardening and travel in her spare time.

MOLLIEGILBERTCHOREOGRAPHERThis is Mike’s first show with us,

having previously worked extensivelythroughout Herts, Beds, Bucks andEssexThe Mikado to Mack & Mabel,with many more in between. As a

performer, Mike has played several leading roles includingtwo Kings - ‘Siam’ and ‘of the fairies’, along with Pilate in‘Jesus Christ Superstar’,The Snake in ‘Children of Eden’ (bothat the same time as MDing the show!!) and the one thatbest sums up his character (some would say!) as the notoriousMC in ‘Cabaret’. This is the fourth time that Mike has performed Chess since being Musical Director on the HertsAmateur Premiere in 1994.Obviously a firm favourite of his!!

MIKE PAYNEMUSICAL DIRECTOR


THE SYNOPSISACT ONEThe world chess championship is being held in the northernItalian town of Merano. The brash American champion Freddie Trumper, and his second, Florence Vassey, relishesthe crowd's affection. Meanwhile Russian challenger,AnatolySergievsky, and his second Molokov (actually a KGB agent),watch with curiosity and disdain on TV. The opening ceremonyfeatures an arbiter insisting on holding the proceedingstogether, US and Soviet diplomats vowing their side will win,and marketers just looking to make a buck. The Americanstorms out of a rules meeting, leaving Florence in an argumentwith the Arbiter and the Russians. She later scolds him, buthe insists that she, a child who escaped Hungary during the1956 Hungarian Revolution, should support him. The firstgame of the match goes badly, with dirty tricks nearly evolvinginto a brawl. A meeting to smooth things over goes badly andends with the Russian and Florence together, where they quicklydevelop feelings for each other. As the matches continue,Freddie flounders and blames Florence, who leaves him. TheRussian wins the championship, then defects to the west.Answering reporters' questions about his loyalties, his ‘Anthem’declares that ‘my land's only borders lie around my heart.’

ACT TWOA year later, Anatoly is set to defend his championship inBangkok, Thailand. Freddie is already there, chatting uplocals about the nightlife. Florence and Anatoly are nowlovers, and upon hearing the news on the television thatAnatoly’s wife has been allowed to leave the USSR to attendthe match, the couple argue. Svetlana and Florence bothreflect on their relationships with him. Freddie goes toAnatoly with information about Florence's long-lost father,claiming that instead of being a hero as she believed, hewas a collaborator. Anatoly, and later Florence, dismiss him, unwilling to hear what he has to say. Freddie reflects onhis life and his obsession with chess as a way to escape an unhappy childhood. In the deciding game of the match,Anatoly manages an exceptional victory, and realises that it may be the only success he can achieve - his wifecastigates him for wallowing in the crowd's empty praise.Both acknowledge they are doomed to care only for themselves.Later, he and Florence reflect on their story that seemed sopromising, and how ‘stories like ours - have happy endings.Maybe not for Florence, as she has yet to discover?


TTHHEE COMPANY

Tom’s first principal performance was at the tender ageof nine, playing the lead in a school production of‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat’.Since then he’s probably done at least one show peryear and sometimes as many as six! Since moving toHertfordshire in the 1980s, many of those shows havebeen with Hitchin Thespians. Tom’s favourite, and mostchallenging role to date, was as Doctor Jekyll and MrHyde in our recent award winning production of thesame name. But, up there at the top of his list is thepart of The Russian in ‘Chess’ which he is delighted tobe performing this evening. By day Tom is headteacherof Martins Wood Primary School in Stevenage.

ANATOLY SERGIEVSKYTOM EVANS

Matt has performed in shows since the age of seven.He joined the Hitchin Thespians in 2003 and has takenpart on or backstage in every show since. Matt hasplayed a number of lead roles, including Riff in ‘WestSide Story’, and Benjamin in ‘Seven Brides For SevenBrothers’. Elsewhere, Matt has been involved in bothplays and musicals but his favourite parts have beenDaniel Mendoza in ‘Jack The Ripper - The Musical’,Daniel Shellmedine in ‘The Safari Party’ and the Voiceof the Plant in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’.In his spare time Matt is an acoustic guitarist and

aspires to become a professional singer/songwriter.He has wanted to perform in Chess for many years and is very much looking forward to playing the vocallychallenging role of the American.

FREDDIE TRUMPERMATT GREENBANK


TTHHEE COMPANY

Barbara has been a member of Hitchin Thespians since

1993, and has appeared in many shows, concerts and

workshops since. Her most recent role for us was as the

frightening Katisha in ‘The Mikado’. Other favourite

roles have included Anne in ‘A Little Night Music’

and The Blues Singer in ‘Barnum’. Barbara has also

appeared in many other Thespian productions such as

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Jekyll & Hyde’.

Barbara especially enjoys performing in concerts as it

enables her to perform some of her favourite ‘less well-

known’ songs, especially works by Stephen Sondheim

and Stephen Schwartz. Barbara is married with three

children, and works locally as an occasional supply

teacher and marker.

Tracey joined Hitchin Thespians in eight years ago to

play silent movie icon Mabel in ‘Mack & Mabel’, and

has been in every show since - she tell us “this is due

to the varied types of show, both modern and traditional

that Thespians produce”. Her roles with Thespians have

included Ann in ‘Half A Sixpence’, Charity Barnum in

‘Barnum’, Kate in ‘Kiss Me Kate’, Carrie in ‘Carousel’

and Lucy in ‘Jekyll & Hyde’. You would have seen

her last as Millie in last year’s ‘Thoroughly Modern

Millie’. Apart from Thespians, Tracey has also played

many other roles around Hertfordshire - her favourites

being Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’, and Lynette

‘Squeaky’ Fromme in Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Assassins’.

Professionally, Tracey runs an illustration and design

business and designed tonights programme for us!

FLORENCE VASSEY

TRACEY GWYNNE SVETLANA SERGIEVSKY

BARBARA THOMAS


TTHHEE COMPANY

This is Mike’s twentith show with Hitchin Thespians. Hehas performed many character roles for us, such asPrince Nikki in ‘MyOne and Only’, the Gangster in ‘KissMe Kate’ and Harold in ‘The Full Monty’. Mike has alsoenjoyed taking lead roles for other local societies suchas Eric 'Rubber-Legs' Devine in ‘A Slice of SaturdayNight’, Dr. Whackhoff in ‘Saucy Jack and the SpaceVixens’ and Professor Higgins in ‘My Fair Lady’. He hasbeen performing, directing and choreographing showslocally for many years now and has just finshed directingrehearsals for a 2008 January Panto - ‘Sinbad’.

John has been performing with the Thespians for manyyears, primarily in the choral productions of the society,and singing occasional solo parts. He is making a longoverdue return to more extrovert stageshow productions,and as you will see tonight, seemingly playing not sonice characters (his last performance for us was asLord Savage in ‘Jekyll & Hyde)! He also performed in‘The Full Monty’ and our last production ‘The Mikado’.You may recall John’s small cameo part in our production of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ as a long-sufferinghusband at dinner - with a one-liner that virtually stolethe show! Elsewhere in the society, John has been anvalued and active member for us, involving himself inboth on and off-stage efforts, in one production being akey member not only of the company, but also as partof the back-stage crew.

WALTER DE COURCEYJOHN KEOGH

MOLOKOVMIKE BARKER


TTHHEE COMPANY

(Top left to right):

Kier Home, Jo Lillian Cartwright,

Alex Evans, James Hamilton

(Bottom left to right):

Julia Nicholson, Philippa Bayfield

Charles has been a member of Hitchin Thespians

for ?????? years, and is a talented character actor

(usually stealing any scene he is in!). You will have

seen him last as ???????? in the very successful ‘The

Full Monty’ which received great acclaim, both locally

and in Edinburgh when it was also taken to the Festival

last year. His other performing credits with us have

included ‘South Pacific’ and ‘Half a Sixpence’.

Charles’ favourite roles to date have been Tobias in

‘Sweeney Todd’, and Cornelius in ‘Hello Dolly’, both for

the Stevenage Lytton Players. He has also appeared

with societies in his native Australia.

THE ARBITER

CHARLES LANGFORD

THE POPCHOIR


Anatoly Sergievsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tom Evans

Frederick Trumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt Greenbank

Florence Vassey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tracey Gwynne

Svetlana Sergievsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Thomas

Alexander Molokov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Barker

Walter De Courcey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Keogh

The Arbiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charles Langford

The Mayor of Merano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Waghorn

POP CHOIR

Philippa Bayfield

Jo Lillian Cartwright

Alex Evans

James Hamilton

Kier Home

Julia Nicholson

CHORUS

Philip Arend, Jean Austin

Sarah Bailes, Donna Barrett

Holly Bohme, Caroline Bonja

Sarah Cunningham, Alison Day

Chris Fox, Maz Greenbank

Anna Hallett, Ian Hamilton

Katy King, Jack Lardent

Ranae McCrae, Lucy Miller-White

Nick Morgan, Keith Mortland

Kevin Nolan, Sandra Page

Melanie Plowman, Carolyn Roberts

Mike Roberts, Pat Staff

Zoe Stubbs, Bryan Summers

Kate Webb, Andy Wyllie

DANCERS

Sarah Bailes, Donna Barrett

Holly Bohme, Caroline Bonja

Sarah Cunningham, Alison Day

Ranae McCrae, Melanie Plowman

Carolyn Roberts

THE COMPANY


1. ‘PROLOGUE - The Story of Chess’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company

SCENE ONE - A station in Merano, Italy2. ‘Merano’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company

SCENE TWO - Freddie & Florence’s Hotel Suite / Conference Room3. ‘Commie Newspapers’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Freddie4. ‘Press Conference’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freddie, Florence & Reporters

SCENE THREE - Molokov’s Hotel Suite5. ‘Anatoly & Molokov’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anatoly & Molokov6. ‘Where I Want To Be’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anatoly & Pop Choir

SCENE FOUR - The Arbiter’s Chambers7. ‘Diplomats’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Molokov, Walter & Delegates 8. ‘The Arbiter’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arbiter & Pop Choir9. ‘Hymn To Chess’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company10. ‘The Merchandisers’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company

SCENE FIVE - The Chess Arena11. ‘The Arbiter (reprise)’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arbiter & Pop Choir 12. ‘A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arbiter, Molokov, Florence & Anatoly13. ‘Florence & Molokov’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Molokov & Florence

SCENE SIX - A Television Studio and Control Room14. ‘1956 - Budapest Is Rising’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freddie & Florence 15. ‘Nobody’s Side’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Pop Choir

SCENE SEVEN - The Merano Mountain Inn16. ‘Der Kleine Franz’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company 17. ‘Mountain Duet’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Anatoly

SCENE EIGHT - The Chess Arena18. ‘Chess - Instrumental’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Orchestra

SCENE NINE - Freddie & Florence’s Hotel Suite / Conference Room19. ‘Florence Quits’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Freddie20. ‘Pity The Child’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freddie

SCENE TEN - A Consulate in Merano21. ‘Embassy Lament’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Civil Servants22. ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence

SCENE ELEVEN - A Station in Merano, Italy23. ‘Anatoly & The Press’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reporters24. ‘Anthem’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anatoly & The Company SOMEONE ELSES SRTORY????

ACT ONESCENES & SONGS


ACT TWOSCENES & SONGS

SCENE ONE - The streets of Bangkok, Thailand1. ‘Golden Bangkok’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Orchestra2. ‘One Night In Bangkok’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freddie & Company

SCENE TWO - Anatoly & Florence’s Hotel Suite 3. ‘One More Opponent’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anatoly & Florence4. ‘You & I’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anatoly & Florence

SCENE THREE - Molokov’s Hotel Suite 5. ‘The Soviet Machine’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Molokov & Comrades

SCENE FOUR - A Television Studio6. ‘Interview’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Walter, Freddie & Anatoly7. ‘Someone Else’s Story’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Svetalan

SCENE FIVE - The foyer of the Oriental hotel, Bangkok8. ‘The Deal’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Anatoly, Florence, Walter & Freddie9. ‘I Know Him So Well’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Svetlana

SCENE SIX - A Buddhist temple10. ‘Talking Chess’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Freddie & Anatoly

SCENE SEVEN - The Chess Arena11. ‘Endgame’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Company

SCENE EIGHT - The Chess Arena / The Airport 12. ‘You & I (reprise)’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence & Anatoly13. ‘Walter & Florence’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Walter & Florence14. ‘Epilogue’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florence

The use of cameras, mobile phones and any kind of recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Please do not smoke in the auditorium.

There will be an interval of 20 minutes between acts.


Hitchin Thespians is proud to be affiliated

to the National Operatic and Dramatic

Association (NODA) which was founded in

1899 as the main representative body

for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a

membership of some 2,500 amateur/

community theatre groups and 3,000

individual enthusiasts throughout the

country, staging musicals, operas, plays,

concerts and pantomimes in a wide

variety of performing venues, ranging

from leading professional theatres to village halls.

NODA is divided into eleven national Regions, each

headed by a Regional Councillor who sits at the ruling

body of the Association and who is supported by

a network of Regional Representatives and other

volunteers. The Representatives and their volunteers

are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association,

the amateur theatre companies themselves. The

association is administered from its headquarters in

Peterborough.

NODA offers multiple benefits to its members,

providing free expert advice and factsheets on

the many issues which can arise in putting on a

performance. NODA represents the interests of

amateur theatre in authorities, rights holders and

the media. Conferences, workshops and seminars

held at National and Regional level all help the

members to share information on best practice.

The NODA Annual Summer School offers

training from professional tutors in acting,

directing, music directing, musical theatre,

stage management and other technical

aspects of theatre performance.

Burseries are available from National

and Regional funds. Regular Regional

magazines and the quarterly ‘NODA

National News’ provide a range of useful

advice and information for amateur

societies and practitioners, as well as free

listings of performances, free classified ads for

selling, buying or hiring scenery, props, scripts, and

details of shows released or restricted for amateur

performance. NODA’s trading area offers access to

goods and services for members and other amateur

theatre enthusiasts,such as NODA Pantomines,a sheet

music service, official badges, youth representatives,

commendation badges and Long Service Awards.

There awards are available for presentation to those

who have given active service to amateur theatre

for a period of ten years and every five years thereafter.

NODA Insurance provides a package that caters

for the specific needs of amateur theatre with

discounted premiums for NODA members.

NODA aims to ensure that it provides help to

amateur societies and individuals in achieving the

highest standards of best practice and performance,

and in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

CALLING YOUNG THESPIANS...If you want to sing, want to act, and want to dance and are in Year 6 and above we want to

hear from you. Young Thespians meet Sunday mornings from 10am to 12 noon at Woodside Hall,

Walsworth Road, Hitchin. In the Spring and early Summer we hold workshops in Song,

Dance and Drama which result in a ‘concert’ in early July. There is a charge of £25 to

take part in each production. Young Thespians are presenting ‘Oklahoma’

at Woodside Hall on March 27th - 29th 2008...Come and see us!

There are no auditions to join so if you are interested please contactAnn Crook 01462 434181, [email protected]


THE DRUM PLACEUnit 5

80 High StreetWalkern

HertsSG2 7PG

Tel: 01438 860334Fax: 01438 861326

Email: [email protected]@thedrumplace.co.uk

Wishing The Hitchin Thespians ‘all the right moves’ this week in

‘CHESS’


Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philippa Tadman

Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Bailes

Lighting & Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Duck AV LTD

Wardrobe Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Keryle Rutherford

Wardrobe Team . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Brendish, Helen Goddard,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pearl Hare, Angela Hollingsworth, Judy Page

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara Pennicott, Mary Roberts

Stage Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viv Stephenson, Gary Kifford

. . . . . . .Colin Ratcliffe, Richard Cobb, Neil Leggat, Wayne Hough

Properties Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cliff Gulbis

Properties Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lucy Arnold

Continuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelle Marple

Make Up Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Donna Barrett

Make Up Team . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Cunningham, Ranae McRae,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Barry Ron Burton, Sheila Soothill

Rehearsal Accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Day

Costumes . . . . . .Dereham Theatre Costumes, Hitchin Thespians

Front of House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kate Webb

Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lucy Miller-White

Programme Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nick Morgan

Programme Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TeeeGeee Design

Programme/Poster Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Streets of Baldock

Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nick Morgan

Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Rapley/XMO4

FOR HITCHIN THESPIANS...

Chess

Flute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jo Marriott

Oboe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rachel Broadbent

Clarinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claire Frost

Clarinet/Bass Clarinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Julia Griffiths

Flute/Clarinet/Baritone Sax . . . . . . . . . .Ian Killoran

Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Lavelle

Trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barry Yardley

Trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andy Humphries

Trombone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fred Slide

Trombone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adrian Jarvis

Keyboard 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kelvin Thomson

Keyboard 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claire Middleton

Keyboard 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Day

Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Fraser

Bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Coughlan

Drums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Simon Kirby

Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jon Acton

Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Boris Peck

THE ORCHESTRA


Arts Director - Bob Bustance

Arts Marketing & Sales ManagerClaire Dixon

General ManagerDavid Holder

Press & Publicity ManagerKelly Betts

Education & Outreach ManagerRicky Manning

Customer Services ManagerCarl Rutherford

Front of House ManagerSue Achard

Assistant Front of House ManagersLyn Cooper

Jill Wadsworth

Box Office Co-ordinatorAmy Platt

Productions & Buildings ManagerStephen Overton

Technical & Maintenance ManagerNigel Howlett

Deputy Chief TechnicianDave Nott

Stage TechniciansMike ChristofiRob Johnson

Theatre Arts AdministratorRia Burgess

Arts & Leisure AssistantLesley Powell

Visual Arts Co-ordinatorWilliam Barnard

FOR THE GORDON CRAIG THEATRE

Front of House Assistants

Lisa Perry Coupe, Lauren DonnellyBrenda Downie, Jan Gant, Hannah Gauld,

Jennie Hills, Pam King,Tracie LittonMartin McNicholas, Stephen Sapsed

Maria Scott, Shirley SheldrickJemma Wadsworth, Sarah Walton

Box Office & Group Sales Advisor

Kym Bowden

Box Office Sales Advisors

Jenny Bell, Sheila Birch, Jake Farrell,Chloe Maddox, Barbara Salisbury,

Jemma Wadsworth,Terri Power

For Stevenage Leisure Limited

Human Resources DirectorJohn Norton

Managing DirectorIan Morton

Finance DirectorRoz Hawkes


Mrs J AkedMr T AlbanMrs J ArmstrongMrs V BarkerMr & Mrs N BarronMr & Mrs P BarryMr & Mrs J BedingfieldMrs M BidwellMiss V BishopMr P Blacker MBE & Mrs PR BlackerMr N BoneMiss N BonjaMrs B BowskillMr R BrayMrs S Budin-JonesMiss R E BurrowsMrs E CalverleyMrs D E ChennellsMr R CobbMr & Mrs G T CorkMr & Mrs D R CrickMiss J CrossmanMr N CundellMr & Mrs G DayMr R E Day

Miss B DeamerMrs G DonaldMr M P DoonanMr & Mrs A DoverMrs H DublinoMr M EverittMrs M E FairchildMrs D FisherMr & Mrs J M FranksMrs J FrithMr & Mrs M GallowayDr & Mrs S P GardinerMrs M GillMrs C GreenMr B GriffithsMr P GuthrieMrs D GuytonMrs S A HaighMr & Mrs C E HamiltonMrs A HammondMr N HarphamMrs E HarveyMr R G HawkinsMr & Mrs D HaynesMrs D HendersonMr P Hickman

Miss B HillyardMr & Mrs P Hollingsworth Mr P HouldcroftMrs J E HoweMrs W T HoyMr & Mrs L E HughesMrs P HunterMrs J Huthert-AverillMr O JarvisMrs P JenkinsMrs H M Jones-DaviesMrs L KeelingMrs M Kemball-CookMr I KennedyMr P KingMr B J KingsleyMr & Mrs H LeonardMr & Mrs W E LewisMr A LinternMr & Mrs M MackenzieMrs B MallettMrs A MansfieldMiss H MansfieldDr & Mrs C Mathews Mrs M McArthurMrs J McGeown

Mr & Mrs J B MetzgerMrs G MolesMr E T MooreMrs N J MorganMr M NewberyMrs J NewtonMr & Mrs D NichollsMrs M OliverMr I PageMrs C PageMr & Mrs K A ParsonsMrs E ParsonsMr M C PascalDennis E. Pateman J.P.Mrs J PatersonMr R PennicottMrs C PlowmanMrs P M PollardMrs E PrattMr & Mrs N W RevillMiss M RichmondMrs H RobertsMrs G RowlandMr G H RussellMr N RutherfordMrs R Saunders

Mrs L M ShawMrs A ShephardMrs P M SladeMrs V SladeMr W C SmeethMr & Mrs A SmithMrs B J SmithMrs J SmithMr J SmythMiss P TadmanMr & Mrs A R TaylorMrs K TheakstonMrs V ThompsonMr J F TurgooseMr & Mrs D H VerneyMr & Mrs R VickersMrs M WalkerMr & Mrs S WatsonMr G WilliamsMr & Mrs P WillmottMrs R WillmottMrs S B WisbeyMrs B WisemanMr R WoodheadMr & Mrs P WoodsMr & Mrs R C Worbey

HITCHIN THESPIANS PATRONS 2008

HITCHIN THESPIANS PAST PRODUCTIONS1903 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gitanos1904 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Sorcerer1905 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard1905 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mountebanks1906 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance1907 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers1908 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado1909 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore1910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury1910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruddigore1911 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard1913 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patience1920 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers1921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado1922 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard1922 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruddigore1923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Sorcerer1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iolanthe1924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers

1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merrie England1925 . . . . .The Yeomen of the Guard1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patience1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury1926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore1927 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado1927 . . . . . . . . .Miss Hook of Holland1928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Geisha1928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A Country Girl1929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Princess Ida1929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veronique1930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tom Jones1931 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance1931 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merrie England1932 . . . . . . . . .The Belle of New York

1932 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose Marie1933 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Desert Song1933 . . . . . . . . . . .The Vagabond King1934 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The New Moon1935 . . . .The Maid of the Mountains1936 . . . . . . . . .Miss Hook of Holland1937 . . . . . . . . . . . .The Student Prince1938 . . . . . . . . . . . .Goodnight Vienna1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Showboat1946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rebel Maid1947 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Desert Song1948 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Gondoliers1949 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chu Chin Chow1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose Marie1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bitter Sweet1951 . . . . . . . . .Yeomen of the Guard1952 . . . . . . . . .Viktoria & Her Hussar1953 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The New Moon1954 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild Violets1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Magyar Melody1956 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Quaker Girl1957 . . . . . . . . . . . .Goodnight Vienna1957 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Call Me Madam1958 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bless the Bride1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Love from Judy1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oklahoma1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel1962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hansel & Gretal1962 . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow1963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate1964 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pink Champagne1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Music Man1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial By Jury1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The King & I1967 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld

1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Half A Sixpence1969 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carmen1970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kismet1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow1972 . . . . . . . . . . .The Sound of Music1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly1973 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Most Happy Fella1974 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Night in Venice1975 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Pacific1976 . . . . . . . . . . .The Beggars Opera1976 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bitter Sweet1977 . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert & Elizabeth1977 . . . . . . . . .Yeomen of the Guard1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Die Fledermaus1979 . . . . . . . . . . .Fiddler on the Roof1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Showboat1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly1982 . . .Orpheus in the Underworld1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Music Man1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grease1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Merry Widow1986 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kismet1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Side Story1988 . . . . . . . . . . .Annie Get your Gun1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Boyfriend1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .My Fair Lady1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cabaret1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oklahoma1992 . . . . . . . . . . .The Sound of Music1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trial by Jury

1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H.M.S. Pinafore1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Guys and Dolls1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlie Girl1995 . . . . . . . . . . .A Little Night Music1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barnum1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42nd Street1996 . . . . . . .The Pirates of Penzance1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hello Dolly1997 . . . . . . . . . . .La Cage Aux Folles*1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crazy For You1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chess1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oliver!1999 . . . . . . . . . . . .Singin’ in the Rain*2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mack & Mabel2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Pacific2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The King & I2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Half A Sixpence2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carmen2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .My One & Only2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Side Story2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barnum2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seven Brides for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seven Brothers*2004 . . . . . . . . .Jesus Christ Superstar2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kiss Me Kate2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carousel2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Me & My Girl2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Full Monty2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jekyll & Hyde*2007 . . . .Thoroughly Modern Millie2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Mikado2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chess

* NODA Region 9 Eastern Area Award


Chess is a musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music byBjörn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA. Thestory involves a romantic triangle between two players in aworld chess championship, and a woman who manages oneand falls in love with the other. The characters’ personalitiesare loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and BobbyFischer (who died in January of this year).Following the pattern of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita,a conceptalbum of Chess was recorded in 1984, and generated a number of hit singles.The first theatrical version of Chess openedin London's West End in 1986 and played for three years. A much-altered production premiered on Broadway in 1988 but wasbadly received by most critics and failed to attract large audiences.A single from the album, "One Night in Bangkok", performed byMurray Head with Anders Glenmark became a worldwide smashand reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, whilethe duet, "I Know Him So Well", by Elaine Paige and BarbaraDickson, held the number one spot on the UK singles charts for 4weeks in February 1985 and won the Ivor Novello Award as theBest Selling Single. The West End production won a London Critics'Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical and received three LaurenceOlivier Award nominations: Best Musical, Outstanding Performanceby an Actor (Körberg) and Outstanding Performance by an Actress(Paige), closing on 8 April 1989.

THE STORY BEHIND

‘CHESS’...‘THE STORY OF CHESS’

(ACT ONE - SCENE ONE)

Chess original cover artwork

Björn Ulvaeus, Tim Rice and BennyAndersson, the creators of Chess

Bobby Fischer, U.S.A 1943 - 2008

Victor Korchnoi, Soviet Union1931 - present day

Each game of chess, means there's one less variation left to be playedEach day got through means one or two less mistakes remain to be made

Not much is known of early days of chess beyond a fairly vague reportThat fifteen hundred years ago two princes fought - though brothers, for a Hindu throne

Their mother cried, for no-one really likes their offspring fighting to the deathShe begged to stop the slaughter with her every breath but sure enough one brother died

Sad beyond belief - she told her winning son you have caused such griefI can't forgive this evil thing you've done

He tried to explain how things had really beenBut he tried in vain no words of his could mollify the Queen

And so he asked the wisest men he knew the way to lessen her distressThey told him he'd be pretty certain to impress by using model soldiers on a chequered board

To show it was his brother's fault - they thus invented chess

Chess displayed no inertia, soon spread to Persia then westNext the Arabs refined it, thus redesigned - it progressed

Still further yet and when Constantinople fell in fourteen fifty threeOne would have noticed every other refugee included in his bags a set

Once in the hands and in the minds of leading figures of the RenaissanceThe spirit and the speed of chess made swift advance through all of Europe's vital lands

Where, we must record the game was further changedRight across the board, the western touch upon the pieces ranged

King and queen and rook and bishop, knight and pawnAll took on the look we know today - the modern game was born

And in the end we see a game that started by mistake in HindustanAnd boosted in the main by what is now Iran

Become the simplest and most complicated pleasure yet devised For just the kind of mind who would appriciate this well-researched and fascinating yarn


OUR LAST PRODUCTION‘AUTUMN 2007’


THE HITCHIN THESPIANS

COMING SOON...

HITCHIN THESPIANS: 01462 641575 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE: 08700 131030

Hitchin Thespians choir is looking for new members...

We are a long established choral group singing a diverse range of music

encompassing everything from modern show songs to large scale classical choral works.

We perform 3 concerts a year, including the ever popular and always sold out ‘Christmas at Woodside’

concerts. At the moment we are rehearsing for‘Christmas at Woodside 2007’. See the coming

soon section on the left for further details.

Interested in joining us? If so, contact our secretary at [email protected] or by phone on 01462 458803 for further details. Visit our website at www.hitchinthespians.org.uk to learn

more about our choral and show activities.

Email: [email protected]: rodneysdanceschool.com

THE YOUNG THESPIANS PRESENT

‘OKLAHOMA’March 27th - March 29th 2008.

Woodside Hall, Hitchin

THE HITCHIN THESPIAN CHOIR PRESENT

Perchance to SingFriday 11th & Saturday 12th April 2008

Woodside Hall, Hitchin

THE HITCHIN THESPIAN CHOIR PRESENT

‘SUMMER CONCERT’Friday 27th – Saturday 28th June. Woodside Hall

CALAMITY JANEMonday 6th – Saturday 11th October

Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage


We always offer a truly approachable, friendly and efficient professional service

• Personal injury work

• Commercial work

• Wills and probate

• Estate planning

• Problems of the elderly

• Family and divorce work

• Employment issues

• Property transactions

DaviesHamilton

DaviesHamilton

SOLICITORS

Tel: 01438 315898

28 High Street, Stevenage,

Herts, SG1 3HF

Fax: (01438) 740084

Email: [email protected]

...that’s law with a human face!


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