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Chess Tickets

London Coliseum

Tim Rice and ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ landmark musical Chess returns to the West End for the first time in over 30 years! Arriving at the London Coliseum for a limited amount of performances, Chess is the phenomenal story of an emotional love triangle, which causes political tensions to rise.

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.

Sorry this show closed 02 June 2018, we recommend these similar productions.

The Phantom of the Opera
ABBA Voyage
Les Miserables
Performance dates:
01 Jun 2018 - 02 Jun 2018
Running time:
2 hours and 45 minutes including an interval.
Age recommendation:
No under 5's
Audience Notes:
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.

Latest Audience Reviews

It was fantastic why it got poor reviews I don't know. Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Cassidy Jan... More

Was not overly impressed with this show as I thought the story was boring. There were only 2 song... More

Really good show and good performances. Loved the music and choreography but didn't like some of... More

Stunning show that was performed brilliantly. Loved the eclectic style of music. The whole show f... More

Found the first half the show a bit slow and hard to follow but second half my opinion changed co... More

Chess is perhaps my favourite musical, and I felt that this production pulls it off very well. I... More

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