The Human Chessgame (1988-1996)


The Black King Richard of York squares off against Talbot (David Vega) in “Monty Python meets the Black Adder for the War of the Roses…or…That Bloody Shake-speare” as “The Human Chessgame ’91” photos by Ceridwen, Stephen Moorer and others


These photos are a rare representation of moments in a long combat of champions on The Human Chessboard. In the background are occasionally visible the watching Cade (Kevin Caston), Pessimistic Pig Pawn (Julie Hughett) and Red Queen (Renee Farjeon).


Black King Monty Python v. Red King Black Adder (John Farmanesh) in “Monty Python meets the Black Adder for the War of the Roses…or…That Bloody Shake-speare” as “The Human Chessgame ’91” photo by Stephen Moorer


Black King faces an unexpected move by Red Pawn(Melissa Okey) in “Monty Python meets the Black Adder for the War of the Roses…or…That Bloody Shake-speare” as “The Human Chessgame ’91” photo by Ceridwen

JTH’s wife Red Knight roaring defiance and carrying lemon bars she baked for the cast in “Monty Python meets the Black Adder for the War of the Roses…or…That Bloody Shake-speare” as “The Human Chessgame ’91” photo by Ceridwen

Black King wielding the longest Long Sword I ever used onstage; with Black Queen (Misty Dawn Sherman), at right Red Pawn (Eleanor Wylde), at left Rook (Michael Jacobs) in “Monty Python meets the Black Adder for the War of the Roses…or…That Bloody Shake-speare” as “The Human Chessgame ’91” photo by Ceridwen

The Terminator as Black King with Black Queen Elvira (JTH’s wife Nancy Bernhard) in “The Human Chess Game: War of the Sexes” 1992 photo by Ceridwen

 

Dr. Miguelito Loveless (Jack Christ) in “The Human Chess Game: The Wild, Wild West” directed by JTH GroveMont Theatrefest 1994

 

James West (Darren O’Hanvey) in saber fight on horseback versus The Westworld Gunfighter (Eric Maximoff) in “The Human Chess Game: The Wild, Wild West” directed by JTH GroveMont Theatrefest 1994

 

Romulan Commander (JTH’s wife Nancy Bernhard) with Spock in “The Human Chessgame: Star Trek,” PacRep 1995 photo by Ceridwen

 

 

Romulan Commander (JTH’s wife Nancy Bernhard) mindmelds with Spock, Enterprise crewmembers behind; Kirk seated with communicator while Bones (Jody Gilmore) sneaks away in “The Human Chessgame: Star Trek,” PacRep 1995 photo by Ceridwen

 


Black King Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford in “The Human Chessgame,” Theatrefest, GroveMont Theatre 1990, photo by Ceridwen

 


Black King Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford in “The Human Chessgame,” Theatrefest, GroveMont Theatre 1990, photo by Ceridwen

 


Hippolyta (Denise Clifford) and Theseus in “The Human Chess Game,” 1988
Spock (The White King) in “The Human Chessgame,” 1989
Hippolyta (Denise Clifford) and Theseus (JTHeyer), The Human Chessboard, GroveMont 1988
Elvira’s best pose (Nancy Lyn Bernhard), The Human Chessgame, GroveMont 1992
White King Henry VI (JTHeyer) leads troops onto the chessboard, to his left Joan of Arc (Maria larsen) and Young Clifford (James Affinito), The Human Chessgame, GroveMont 1993
(l-r ) Black Team/White Rose/House of York: Queen’s Knight Joan of Arc (Maria Larson), King’s Pawn (David Vega), Queen’s Bishop’s Pawn (Elizabeth Peterson), Queen’s Rook Jack Cade (Kevin Nolan Caston), Queen’s Pawn (Clarice Cark), King’s Bishop’s Pawn (Cindy Womack), King or richard of York (John Farmanesh), The Human Chessgame: The War of the Roses, GroveMont 1993
White Rose royal claimant Richard of York (John Farmanesh) argues his claim with Red Rose King Henry VI (JTHeyer). (l-r on the Red Rose team: Queen’s Rook’s Pawn Young Talbot (Arik Clark), Queen’s Knight’s Pawn Talbot (Jose Lambert), Queen’s Bishop (Katie Gotch), Queen Young Clifford (James Affinito), The Human Chessgame: The War of the Roses, GroveMont 1993
The War of the Roses breaks out! The Human Chessgame: The War of the Roses, GroveMont 1993
White Rose army l-r: Young Talbot (Arik Clark) half-hidden by Soldier (Katie Gotch), King Henry VI (JTHeyer), Lady (Camille Beisher), Soldier (Marshall Goodwin), Soldier (unknown), Young Clifford (James Affinito), The Human Chessgame: The War of the Roses, GroveMont 1993
Young Clifford (James Affinito), champion of King Henry VI (JTHeyer), The Human Chessgame: The War of the Roses, GroveMont 1993