UK CHESS Opens in Toronto 9/24

A chess game between international masters takes on larger meaning in the award-winning 1980s rock opera "Chess," which is currently touring the UK. The next stop is Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, where it will open on September 24 before a run in London's West End.

With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, "Chess" captures the '80s-era conflict between two international chess stars - one American, one Russian - who compete for the world championship only to find that their greatest contest is for the love of the same woman. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and international conspiracies, Freddie and Anatoly fight to take the queen in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War.

Among the show's memorable musical numbers are "One Night in Bangkok," "I Know Him So Well," and "Nobody's Side." Released as a highly successful concept album in 1984, the first theatrical production of "Chess" opened in London's West End in 1986 and ran for three years. An altered U.S. version played briefly on Broadway in 1988, and the show has continued to evolve in both stage and concert versions ever since.

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 production - which features the actors playing their own instruments.

Visit mirvish.com for more information.