Written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), Chess tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which 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 mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.
2hrs 45min (inc. interval)
26th April, 2018
2nd June, 2018
By: Tim Rice
Songs by: Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Director: Laurence Connor
Cast list: Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Cassidy Janson, Cedric Neal and Tim Howar
Design: Matthew Kinley
Lighting: Patrick Woodfroffe
Costume: Christina Cunningham
Choreography: Stephen Mear
Sound: Mick Potter
Other info: Video design: Terry Scruby
Conductor: John Rigby
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: St. Martin's Lane 24, 29, 176 / 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139
Night bus numbers: St. Martin's Lane 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279 / 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551
Car park: Q-Park: Chinatown (5mins) / Other: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)
Directions from tube: (3mins) Take Cranbourn Street until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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