Chess 1986 - Articles Page 2.6

Opened: May 14, 1986
Closing: April 08, 1989

Chess - 1986 - West End History , Info & More

Prince Edward Theatre
(Leicester Square/Tottenham Court Road) Old Compton Street London

A superb cast of West End stars including James Fox (Fame Academy, Jesus Christ Superstar), Shona White (Wicked), Tam Mutu (Love Never Dies), Rebecca Lock (The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q), James Graeme (The Phantom of the Opera), David Erik (Dirty Dancing, The Phantom of the Opera) and Steve Varnom (The Woman in White) lead a cast of 30 actors and musicians in this unmissable production.



Written by Tim Rice and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, CHESS has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night In Bangkok, Pity The Child, Anthem, You And I and, of course, I Know Him So Well.



Two of the world's greatest chess masters battle it out at the world chess championships but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win the heart of Florence Vassy in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War all set to an explosive score by the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.



Make your move now and book for the must-see musical event of the year!

Chess - 1986 - West End Cast

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Chess - 1986 - West End Articles Page 2.6

TV Exclusive: Neil Sean Checks in with the Ladies of CHESS, Alexandra Burke and Cassidy Janson
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 30, 2018


The first West End production of Chess since 1986 stars Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Cedric Neal as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Philip Browne as Molokov. This epic musical love story is now playing at the London Coliseum for a strictly limited 5 week season.

Photo Flash: First Look at Michael Ball and Alexandra Burke in CHESS at the London Coliseum
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2018


The epic musical love story CHESS starring Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Cedric Neal as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Phillip Browne as Molokov opens tonight, Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season. Check out a first look at the production in the photos below!

Brief 5/6: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Tour, First Look at MEAN GIRLS, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 6, 2018


Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Jesus Christ Superstar will embark on a national tour, get a first look at Mean Girls, and more!

Murray Head Withdraws from West End CHESS; Cedric Neal Joins Cast as 'The Arbiter'
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 5, 2018


Chess is coming back to the West End for the first time since 1986, opening at the London Coliseum on Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season. The show will come without one of its previously announced cast members, however. BroadwayWorld has just learned that Murray Head has withdrawn from the production. A show representative explained:

Brief 3/27: ROCKTOPIA Opens on Broadway, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2018


Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Rocktopia opens tonight on Broadway, and more!

Photo Flash: West End-Bound CHESS Begins Rehearsals - Full Cast Announced!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 26, 2018


The first West End production of Chess since 1986 stars Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Murray Head as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Philip Browne as Molokov. This epic musical love story will open at the London Coliseum on Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season.

VIDEO: Watch Clips of Raul Esparza, Karen Olivo, Ramin Karimloo, and Ruthie Ann Miles in CHESS at the Kennedy Center
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2018


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented the semi-staged Broadway Center Stage concert production of CHESS on February 14-18. Check out all new clips from the production, starring Raul Esparza, Karen Olivo, Ramin Karimloo, and Ruthie Ann Miles, below!

Official: Starry Cast Set for West End CHESS; Ball, Burke, Head, Howar and Janson Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 15, 2018


Multiple sources have revealed a starry cast for the upcoming West End production of Chess at London's Coliseum. The cast is said to include Michael Ball (The Russian), Alexandra Burke (Svetlana), Murray Head (The Arbiter), Tim Howar (The American) and Cassidy Janson (Florence).

Photo Flash: Checkmate! Raul Esparza, Ramin Karimloo, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Karen Olivo Bring the Anthems of CHESS to Life at the Kennedy Center
by Julie Musbach - Feb 15, 2018


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the semi-staged Broadway Center Stage concert production of CHESS, the epic rock opera about love and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Cold War as two superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

Additional Creative Team Members Announced for CHESS
by Rebecca Russo - Jan 23, 2018


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced additional creative team members for the Broadway Center Stage production of CHESS, the epic rock opera about love and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Cold War as two superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

New York Philharmonic's Young People's Concerts to Continue with 'INSPIRATIONS AND TRIBUTES'
by BWW News Desk - Jan 6, 2018


The 95th season of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (YPCs) will continue today, January 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with 'Classical Echoes,' the second program in this season's series, Inspirations and Tributes - each program exploring how composers influence and pay tribute to each other.

Kendra Kassebaum to Lead 5th Avenue Theatre's New Production of MAMMA MIA!, Full Cast Announced!
by Julie Musbach - Jan 4, 2018


Rehearsals begin today for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Mamma Mia!, the celebrated musical that features the music of global pop sensation ABBA. The 5th Avenue Theatre is the first producing theater company in the Pacific Northwest to be granted the rights to create its own refreshed version of the show, which toured the world for nearly 20 years.

COME FROM AWAY, THE BAND'S VISIT, and More Among American Theatre Wing's Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees
by Julie Musbach - Dec 18, 2017


The American Theatre Wing (Heather Hitchens, President) is pleased to announce that five theater artists will be honored by the Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee during the presentation of its 2017 Awards in a luncheon ceremony on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

New York Philharmonic's Young People's Concerts to Continue with 'INSPIRATIONS AND TRIBUTES'
by BWW News Desk - Nov 30, 2017


The 95th season of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (YPCs) will continue on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with 'Classical Echoes,' the second program in this season's series, Inspirations and Tributes - each program exploring how composers influence and pay tribute to each other.

Raul Esparza, Ramin Karimloo, Ruthie Ann Miles and Karen Olivo to Star in Revamped CHESS at the Kennedy Center
by BWW News Desk - Nov 29, 2017


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts launches the inaugural season of Broadway Center Stage with CHESS, the epic rock opera about love and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Cold War as two superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

Book Now For The Revival of CHESS at London Coliseum
by Marianka Swain - Nov 6, 2017


CHESS, the epic musical love story set amid the tensions of a world championship chess match, will play at the London Coliseum for a strictly limited 5 week run from Thursday 26 April, 2018. Book tickets here from 20!

CHESS Set for a Spring 2018 Run at the English National Opera
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 26, 2017


CHESS, the epic musical love story set amid the tensions of a world championship chess match, will play at the London Coliseum for a strictly limited 5 week run from Thursday 26 April 2018.

Matthew McKenna to Lead the World Premiere of BANANAMAN THE MUSICAL; Full Cast Announced
by BWW News Desk - Oct 26, 2017


Matthew McKenna is unmasked today as the star and handsome hero of Bananaman the Musical.

Strategy, Love & Politics: UCI Drama presents a Concert Staging of CHESS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2017


UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Drama opens its 2017 18 season with a concert staging of the musical Chess, a complex exploration of strategy and love set at the intersection of US Russia political relations. With music by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bj rn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess premiered in 1986 telling the story of a match between an American Grandmaster (loosely based on the life of Bobby Fischer) and his Soviet rival, and was generally seen as a metaphor for the Cold War politics of the day. This is the first show in a season themed The Business of Politics/The Politics of Business, which takes a look at the shady underbelly of capitalism.

MAD WOMEN IN MY ATTIC! Makes U.S. Premiere at United Solo
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 9, 2017


Mad Women in my Attic! The haunting, comedic cabaret show, Mad Women in my Attic! comes to the United Solo Festival on Saturday, October 7th at 4:0 pm. The production played to critical acclaim at the Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015. 

San Francisco Playhouse Presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
by BWW News Desk - Jun 30, 2017


San Francisco Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) complete their fourteenth season of transformation with the rollicking musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius of Jerry Herman.

Connor Arnold Stars in Tim Rice's New Version of BLONDEL, Beginning Tonight at the Union Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jun 23, 2017


The world premiere of a spanking new version of the Tim Rice musical comedy Blondel gets its London premiere at the Union Theatre, now through Saturday 15 July. Press night is tonight 23 June 2017.

BWW Morning Brief June 21st, 2017 - WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME and More!
by Jessica Khan - Jun 21, 2017


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: Playwright Heidi Schreck stars in her play WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME as part of Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS!

Will CHESS Make A Move to Broadway in 2018?
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 20, 2017


Chess might make a move back to Broadway! According to a recent interview with Whatsonstage, creator Tim Rice is hard at work on a revised version of the original 1986 show. 'We've got a new team in who helped to restructure the storyline and it seemed to work really well as a tabletop production, but the plan is to bring it to Broadway late next year,' says Rice.

Connor Arnold to Star in Tim Rice's New Version of BLONDEL at the Union Theatre
by BWW News Desk - May 22, 2017


Producers have announced the cast for the world premiere of a spanking new version of the Tim Rice musical comedy Blondel.

Chess FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Chess have there been?
Chess has had 14 productions including London Fringe which opened in 1984, West End which opened in 1986, Broadway which opened in 1988, Broadway which opened in 1988, Off-Broadway which opened in 1992, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1992, Australia which opened in 1997, New York which opened in 1998, which opened in 2001, Broadway which opened in 2003, Broadway which opened in 2003, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2018, West End which opened in 2018 and Broadway which opened in 2030.
What awards has Chess been nominated for?
Chess has been nominated for several awards, including Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice.

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