Popular musical Chess will return to the West End for the first time in over 30 years next Spring, in a production featuring English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra and Chorus.
The musical, with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, and lyrics by Tim Rice, is coming to the London Coliseum for a strictly limited 5 week run from 26 April 2018. This will be the first West End revival since the original 1986 production, which starred Elaine Paige, Murray Head and Tommy Korberg.
Written in 1984, Chess tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle.
This new West End production of Chess will be directed by Laurence Connor, whose recent credits include School Of Rock – The Musical and Miss Saigon (Broadway and West End), Les Misérables (Broadway), and the international arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Choreography is by Stephen Mear.
Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, the producers of 42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, who also brought Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close, Carousel with Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins, and Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel, to the London Coliseum, are the creatives reviving Chess in the West End.
The acclaimed show has had countless versions produced all over the world since its inception, and its return to London next year is an exciting prospect for musical theatre.
Book your Chess tickets here.