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Chess

Closing: October 24, 1984

Chess - 1984 London Fringe History , Info & More

Barbican Centre [Barbican Hall]
Barbican Centre Silk Street London EC2Y 8DS 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!


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Tamara Siler Will Perform SINNERS & SAINTS at Main Street Theater
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026


Main Street Theater will present Houston theater veteran Tamara Siler in SINNERS & SAINTS, a cabaret show featuring songs from Gospel to Broadway alongside stories from her 42-year Houston stage career.

West End Theatres Will Dim Lights in Honour of Robert Fox
by Stephi Wild - Mar 23, 2026


West End theatres will dim their lights at 7pm on March 25 to honor the late Robert Fox, a distinguished producer, on his birthday. Learn more about Robert here!

Broadway and West End Producer, and THE CROWN EP Robert Fox Dies at 73; Hugh Jackman Pays Tribute
by Gillian Blum - Mar 21, 2026


Robert Fox, a producer on Broadway and West End shows, and the executive producer of Netflix's The Crown, died at 73, according to Deadline, and his collaborator Hugh Jackman paid tribute to him.

RENT Reunion Panel and More Set For BroadwayCon 2026
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2026


BroadwayCon has announced additional programming for the 2026 Convention, taking place this week. Learn more about the full upcoming lineup for the event here!

A History of Musical Concept Albums
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 4, 2026


The idea of the concept album took flight at the same time as the idea of the rock musical. A concept album introduces audiences to the score of a musical by deliberately releasing an album of the songs before any live production exists at all. The concept album ostensibly stands on its own terms.

Tracie Bennett, Barry James, and Liam Tamne Join JO - THE LITTLE WOMEN MUSICAL in Concert
by Stephi Wild - Dec 12, 2025


More star casting has been announced for the world premiere semi-staged concert of Jo - The Little Women Musical in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Learn more here!

Interview: Robert Yacko of AN EVENING WITH THE MAESTRO at The Broad Stage of Santa Monica
by Gavin Glynn - Aug 31, 2025


This one of its kind world premiere event also pays tribute to Bernstein’s passion for education, with proceeds supporting MTG’s Youth Education Outreach programs.

Every Broadway Actor in Season 3 of THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025


The Gilded Age is back for Season 3, and with it, a new and returning crop of Broadway talent. The New York-based costume drama is known for its vast array of theater actors, utilizing a total of 163 across its three seasons. Take a look here to see which of your favorite stars appear in the new season!

A History of Pop Music Bio-Musicals
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 29, 2025


Just In Time’s origin story as well as overall conceit has much in common with one of Broadway’s very first jukebox musicals, which was ahead of its time. In 1985, Leader of the Pack, telling the story of pop singer-songwriter Ellie Greenwich, opened at the Ambassador on Broadway. Learn all about pop music bio-musicals here!

Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus Are Making a Broadway Comeback
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 14, 2025


Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have already made a major mark on Broadway, and 2025 is bound to be a milestone year as the biggest musicals that feature their work, Mamma Mia! and Chess, will be running at the same time. Let's learn more about both...

CHESS Returns to Broadway: Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic Musical
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 1, 2025


It's been over three decades since a fully performed production of Chess has been seen on a Broadway stage. While many of its songs have become beloved standards, the show's plot remains largely unknown to audiences. With months until performances begin, study up on everything you need to know about Chess. 

Review: CHESS at LANCASTER OPERA HOUSE
by Michael Rabice - Mar 31, 2025


Every now and then there is a musical that is near universally loved for it score, treasured by cast recording collectors, and infamous to many,  BUT is rarely ever produced. Most were failures soon after theirs debuts. My personal desert island treasured flop  from that category is Jerry Herman's DEAR WORLD. For others it was Stephen  Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (  considered a flop for almost 40 years, but now a triumph). Which brings us to the rarely produced, but often recorded musical CHESS, now being presented at the Lancaster Opera House.

American Coast Theater Company Presents CHESS THE MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 4, 2024


American Coast Theater Company will present CHESS THE MUSICAL at the Lyceum Theater on the Vanguard University campus from June 6th to June 16th, 2024. Directed by Susan K. Berkompas.

Mitski, Eboni Booth, and Whitney White Join THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT Broadway Creative Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2023


Mitski, Eboni Booth, and Whitney White have been announced as the newest additions to the creative team of the Broadway production, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT. Learn more about these talented individuals and how they will contribute to the success of the show.

Review: CHESS at The Muny
by James Lindhorst - Jul 7, 2023


While this Muny production is more similar to the original West End production in London versus the Broadway rewrite, CHESS is still more of a concert-like production. While the actors, ensemble and orchestra perform this material masterfully, the story doesn’t fully capture the competitive nature of the Chess champions or the tensions of the cold war. The love story is slightly more compelling, but the lack of a well-written and emotional narrative does not allow the audience to fully connect to the story and softens the overall production. This production of CHESS is a must-see for those who love this score. This is not a musical that packs a powerful emotional wallop. If that is more of what you’re looking for then wait for WEST SIDE STORY or RENT.

Laura Dawkes and Jammy Kasongo Join the West End Cast of FROZEN
by Stephi Wild - Jun 29, 2023


 Laura Dawkes and Jammy Kasongo have joined the company of Frozen in London as Anna and Kristoff.

Mother's Day Concert With John Pizzarelli Comes To The Venetian Room This Month
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2023


This show marks Bay Area Cabaret's 2022-23 Season finale, and features Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli; his wife Broadway singer/actress, Jessica Molaskey; and the San Francisco debut of their daughter, singer/songwriter, Maddie Pizzarelli.

Metcalf, Maslany & Sparks Led GREY HOUSE Sets Complete Cast & Creative Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2023


Final casting has been revealed for the terrifying New York premiere of Grey House by Levi Holloway, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Santino Fontana & Judy Kuhn to Star in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE at Classic Stage Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 22, 2023


Classic Stage Company has announced complete programming for their 2023-2024 Season. See what shows are in the lineup, who is starring, how to purchase tickets, and more!

TREASON THE MUSICAL Takes Autumn Tour to Edinburgh, Sheffield and London
by Stephi Wild - Mar 21, 2023


This Autumn will see the highly anticipated British musical premiere its first full production in select theatres across the UK. Kicking off with a bang on 25 October at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Treason will continue to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre on 31 October and finally explode into London's Alexandra Palace from 08 – 18 November.

Emma Hatton, Sally Ann Triplett & More to Star in BERLUSCONI World Premiere Musical at Southwark Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 24, 2023


The cast has been announced for the world premiere of BERLUSCONI at Southwark Playhouse. Rehearsals begin on 13 February with first preview on 25 March and press night on 29 March.

Tim Rice Teases CHESS Revival- 'The Time Is Right'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 13, 2022


Just last night, Chess returned to the New York City stage in a concert event that benefitted the Entertainment Community Fund. Lyricist Tim Rice, who has long teased a Broadway revival, issued the a letter to the company and audience for the big night.

Buy Tickets Now For CHESS At Surflight Theatre
by Grace Cutler - Aug 21, 2022


Surflight Theatre, New Jersey’s “Broadway at the Beach,” plans to present a reimagined Chess this August.

Photos: First Look at National Youth Music Theatre's CHESS at Curve, Leicester
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2022


All new photos have been released from Chess, the first of the National Youth Music Theatre’s summer season of musicals. The production runs at Curve, Leicester Wednesday 10 - Saturday 13 August at 7pm, with Friday & Saturday matinees at 2.00pm.

Review: CHESS - THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Cindy Marcolina - Aug 2, 2022


Nick Winston stages less of a concert and more of an almost-fully-formed production with clear-cut vision.

Chess History

Other Productions of Chess

1984   London Fringe London Concert
London Fringe
1986   West End Original London Production
West End
1988   Broadway Broadway Production
Broadway
1992   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1992   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1997   Australia Australian Revival
Australia
1998   New York New York Concert
New York
2001   Nyack Concert
2003   Broadway Actors' Fund Concert
Broadway
2018   Washington, DC (Regional) Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2018   West End London Coliseum Revival Production
West End
2025   Broadway
Broadway

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