Chess 1984

Opened: October 24, 1984
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!

Get Chess Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

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.

New Cast Members Join FROZEN as it Extends Through March 2023
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2022


Disney Theatrical Productions announced that Frozen is extending until March 2023 due to public demand. Find out who's joining the cast and how to purchase tickets!

A KISS FOR CINDERELLA & More Announced for National Youth Music Theatre's Summer Season of Musicals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2022


This summer, National Youth Music Theatre will present two major musicals, ‘Chess’ at the Curve, Leicester and ‘Ragtime’ together with the world premiere’ of  ‘A Kiss for Cinderella’ at The MCT at Alleyn’s, Dulwich, and for one night only, NYMT in Concert at the Rose Theatre, Kingston.

Tim Rice Issues Update on CHESS Broadway Production and AIDA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2022


Tim Rice revealed in a tweet that he is set to fly to New York for discussions about Aida, and the Broadway revival of Chess.

Full Cast Announced for Paige Davis Led Production of HELLO, DOLLY! at PTC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2022


Pioneer Theatre Company will present the record-setting Broadway hit, Hello, Dolly! as the closing musical for the current season. The turn-of- the-century romance, bursting with music and energetic dance will run from May 13 through May 28, 2022.

BrightSide Theatre to Preset MAMMA MIA!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 18, 2022


Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak will present the final show of BrightSide Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season – BrightSide is Back! The twice postponed production closes out the season with the music of ABBA in the musical that has entertained over 60 million people around the globe -  Mamma Mia!  

Sally Ann Triplett 'In Talks' to Join New Production of BILLY ELLIOT at Curve Leicester
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2022


The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical, Billy Elliot, will receive a brand-new production at Curve Leicester in summer 2022. 

Wake Up With BWW 1/12: CHESS May Return to Broadway and Film, and More!
by - Jan 12, 2022


Today's top stories include a potential Broadway revival of Chess! On a recent episode of his podcast, lyricist Tim Rice revealed not only that plans for a Broadway revival of Chess are underway, but also his hopes of eventually turning the 1984 musical into a movie.

Tim Rice Reveals 'Team is in Place' to Bring CHESS Back to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 11, 2022


On a recent episode of his podcast, lyricist Tim Rice revealed not only that plans for a Broadway revival of Chess are underway, but also his hopes of eventually turning the 1984 musical into a movie.

TROUBLE IN MIND Begins Previews on Broadway Tonight; Meet the Cast!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 29, 2021


Trouble In Mind officially begins previews tonight, October 29, at Roundabout's American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Learn more about the cast here!

BWW Review: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Surprises Pleasantly at Don't Tell Mama
by Stephen Mosher - Jul 26, 2021


Always be willing to take an adventure and see something about which you know nothing... it could turn out to be something worth seeing.

Justin Courtney Pierre Announces 'The Price of Salt' EP
by Sarah Jae Leiber - May 24, 2021


The Price of Salt follows An Anthropologist on Mars (released in March) which New Noise Magazine called “the best batch of songs Justin Courtney Pierre has ever released.”

BWW Review: CHESS THE MUSICAL at Regent Theatre
by Josh Stent - Apr 24, 2021


If you are after a night of ‘80s electric power ballads that are infused with a theatrically dramatic orchestral score, then StoreyBoard Entertainment’s semi-staged concert revival of Chess The Musical is the show for you!

BWW Feature: CHESS - The Dream Cast
by ETTORE FARRATTINI - Apr 10, 2021


Nel 1981, dopo solo 8 anni dal loro primo singolo gli ABBA misero fine alla loro carriera come gruppo.

Videos