Overview
Landmark musical Chess receives its first major West End revival in over 30 years at the prestigious London Coliseum. Written by great musical theatre lyricist Tim Rice and ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Chess is the phenomenal love story set against the background of the Cold War.
Originally premiering in 1986 at the Prince Edward Theatre, Trevor Nunn directed a cast of theatre legends, including Elaine Paige, Murray Head, Tommy Köberg and Denis Quilley. Earning three Olivier Award nominations, including Best Musical, the show went on to open on Broadway in 1988, reworked by playwright Richard Nelson.
Chess takes place on a giant chessboard, masking romantic rivalries and American-Soviet political tensions. Two grandmasters enter the ultimate battle; one is American and the other Russian. As their match gets underway, their lives are disrupted by a Hungarian refugee who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. As passions become heightened, political struggles reach a climax that threatens to destroy lives and loves.
Featuring an iconic score with songs including “I Know Him So Well”, “One Night in Bangkok”, “Heaven Help My Heart” and “Pity the Child”, Chess is the highly-acclaimed musical from the lyricist behind Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Aida and Evita. The revival features direction by Laurence Connor (School of Rock, Miss Saigon) and choreography by Stephen Mear (Gypsy, Top Hat, Sunset Boulevard).
Casting includes theatre legend Michael Ball (Hairspray, Les Miserables) as Anatoly Sergievsky, Alexandra Burke (Sister Act, Strictly Come Dancing) as Svetlana Sergievsky, Cassidy Janson (Beautiful) as Florence Vassy, Cedric Neal (Motown the Musical) as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie Trumper and Phillip Browne as Molokov.
Presented by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade in collaboration with the English National Opera, the musical will feature the famous ENO Orchestra and Chorus. Chess plays a limited season at the London Coliseum from 26 April to 2 June 2018, with a press night on 1 May 2018 and is not to be missed, so get your Chess - Musical tickets now.
Age Recommendations: No under 5's
Originally premiering in 1986 at the Prince Edward Theatre, Trevor Nunn directed a cast of theatre legends, including Elaine Paige, Murray Head, Tommy Köberg and Denis Quilley. Earning three Olivier Award nominations, including Best Musical, the show went on to open on Broadway in 1988, reworked by playwright Richard Nelson.
Chess takes place on a giant chessboard, masking romantic rivalries and American-Soviet political tensions. Two grandmasters enter the ultimate battle; one is American and the other Russian. As their match gets underway, their lives are disrupted by a Hungarian refugee who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. As passions become heightened, political struggles reach a climax that threatens to destroy lives and loves.
Featuring an iconic score with songs including “I Know Him So Well”, “One Night in Bangkok”, “Heaven Help My Heart” and “Pity the Child”, Chess is the highly-acclaimed musical from the lyricist behind Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Aida and Evita. The revival features direction by Laurence Connor (School of Rock, Miss Saigon) and choreography by Stephen Mear (Gypsy, Top Hat, Sunset Boulevard).
Casting includes theatre legend Michael Ball (Hairspray, Les Miserables) as Anatoly Sergievsky, Alexandra Burke (Sister Act, Strictly Come Dancing) as Svetlana Sergievsky, Cassidy Janson (Beautiful) as Florence Vassy, Cedric Neal (Motown the Musical) as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie Trumper and Phillip Browne as Molokov.
Presented by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade in collaboration with the English National Opera, the musical will feature the famous ENO Orchestra and Chorus. Chess plays a limited season at the London Coliseum from 26 April to 2 June 2018, with a press night on 1 May 2018 and is not to be missed, so get your Chess - Musical tickets now.
Recommended for
Fans of Tim Rice musicals and those who love musical theatre will adore Chess and should make sure to get tickets, which is receiving its first major revival in years! Anyone who regularly gets tickets to the London Coliseum will enjoy seeing the large orchestra in place.Age Recommendations: No under 5's
