Details

Reykjavik, 1972. All eyes are on Iceland ahead of ?the Match of the Century': Boris Spassky vs. Bobby Fischer. For the two contenders, the stakes have never been higher - the world title, unprecedented prize money, and stratospheric fame are all on the table. But as the Cold War begins to heat up, each side of the Atlantic spots a major opportunity to demonstrate superiority over the other. So why hasn't America's knight in shining armour shown up? And why won't Russia's grandmaster listen to orders? As the two superpowers prepare their opening gambits in a proxy battle of ideologies, with sport as the weapon of choice, both sides find themselves undermined by their pawns, who seem oddly unwilling to cooperate... Tom Morton-Smith's gripping psychological thriller depicts a match that became a signature event of the Cold War, exploring how two very different individuals were co-opted to stand for contrasting political systems. World Premiere.

Cast/Performers

Gunnar Cauthery (Gudmundur), Simon Chandler (Max Euwe), Buffy Davis (Fred / Lina), Philip Desmeules (Lothar), Robert Emms (Bobby Fischer), Solomon Israel (William Lombardy / Henry Kissinger), Beruce Khan (Livo), Emma Pallant (Regina), Ronan Raftery (Boris Spassky), Rebecca Scroggs (Nikolai), Gyuri Sarossy (Efim), Gary Shelford (Saemi Rokk)

Creatives/Company

Author: Tom Morton-Smith
Producer: Hampstead Theatre
Director(s): Annabelle Comyn, Mike Ashcroft (movement director)
Design: Jamie Vartan
Lighting: Howard Harrison
Music: Philip Stewart
Sound: Philip Stewart
Other: Jack Phelan (video)