Chess in Concert

Main banner Case study - Chess in Concert
Main body image case study - Chess in Concert 1
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Main body image case study - Chess in Concert 3
Single image 12m x 6m using HD Projection and Hippotozers

Creative Technology (CT) were thrilled to be involved in the new concert production of the hugely popular cult musical Chess in Concert, which played for two nights only at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 12 and 13 May 2008.

Chess in Concert, highly regarded as one of the best musical theatre compositions ever written with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. The show, exploring a romantic triangle involving two chess champions - Russian and American and the American's lover, set against a backdrop of KGB intrigue, is unlike any other version of Chess in Concert. With performances by celebrated American baritone Josh Groban, Broadway’s Idina Menzel (Wicked) and chart-topping Wet Wet Wet singer, Marti Pellow.

The story has now been streamlined and the production is a rock show with a 50-piece orchestra (The City of London Philharmonic), a 100-strong choir (the West End Chorus) and one of the largest pipe organs in Europe.

To compensate for the abbreviated storyline, director Hugh Wooldridge decided to use projection to enhance the music. Wooldridge sought help from CT’s Scott Burges who enlisted animations’ designer Rehana Rose Khan to realise his vision. To achieve a clear single image on the large 12m x 6m screen, situated in front of the impressive Royal Albert Hall pipe organ, CT provided two Barco FLM HD18 projectors. Supporting imagery was achieved using two Hippotizer media servers and HOG PC for Control. The end result was first-class and commented on by a diverse audience of fans and personalities from Brian May to Ronnie Corbett and original cast members Elaine Paige and Tommy Korberg and creators Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus.

The clarity of the projected image added to the atmosphere and the audience’s ability to interpret and absorb the musical. Wooldridge commented “Tim Rice wanted this version of Chess in Concert to be definitive. Creative Technology lead by Scott Burges provided a first-class one-shop service. We gratefully acknowledge their contribution to the undoubted success of the production”.