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Chess Revival 2018

Opened: May 1, 2018
Closing: June 02, 2018

Chess - 2018 West End History , Info & More

London Coliseum
St. Martin's Lane WC2N 4ES London

The musical, written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), 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.


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CHESS Enters Final Two Weeks at the Coliseum
by Julie Musbach - May 21, 2018


The epic musical love story CHESS starring Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Cedric Neal as The Arbiter, Tim Howar asFreddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Phillip Browne as Molokov has just two weeks remaining of its limited West End season which must end on 2 June 2018.

TV: Michael Ball Talks CHESS with Neil Sean!
by Nicole Rosky - May 3, 2018


West End and recording star Michael Ball earned Olivier Awards for Hairspray and Sweeney Todd. Now starring in the new version of the 80's mega smash " Chess" by the Abba boys Benny & Bjorn plus Sir Tim Rice in this new and exclusive interview he reveals all about Chess, interviewing Hollywood legend Doris Day, turning Down Sunset Boulevard and so much more!

Review Roundup: What Did The Critics Think Of The Michael Ball and Alexandra Burke-Led CHESS in London?
by Alan Henry - May 2, 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 officially opened last night, 1 May 2018, for a strictly limited 5 week season.

TV: The Cast Discuss The Opening Night Of CHESS!
by Marianka Swain - May 2, 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 Phillip Browne as Molokov. This epic musical love story had its press night last night and is now playing at the London Coliseum for a strictly limited season. Watch a video from the opening night party below!

BWW Review: CHESS, London Coliseum
by Marianka Swain - May 1, 2018


Chess, by Tim Rice and ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, hasn't had a major West End revival since its Eighties heyday, but it's back with a bang in a semi-staged production that features aerial silk acrobatics, cheerleading stunts and drunken Cossack dancing. But it's the work that really shines through: period, yes, and distinctly unwieldy, but oddly timely too - and not just because ABBA are reuniting.

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

Murray Head Withdraws from West End CHESS; Cedric Neal Joins Cast as 'The Arbiter'
by Nicole Rosky - April 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:

Photo Flash: West End-Bound CHESS Begins Rehearsals - Full Cast Announced!
by Nicole Rosky - March 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.

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

Chatter: Starry Cast Set for West End CHESS - Ball, Burke, Head, Howar and Janson
by Stephi Wild - February 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).

Chess FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the songs in Chess and what's the order?
Prologue: The Story of Chess
Merano
Press Conference
Anatoly and Molokov
Where I Want to Be
U.S. Versus U.S.S.R.
Arbiter's Song
Chess Hymn
Merchandisers' Song
Chess
Quartet
Florence and Molokov
Nobody's Side
Mountain Duet
Florence Quits
Pity the Child
Embassy Lament
Heaven Help My Heart
Anthem
One Night in Bangkok
Florence and Anatoly
You and I
The Soviet Machine
Interview
The Deal
I Know Him So Well
Frederick and Anatoly
Endgame
The Argument
East or West?
Postponement
A Major Story
How Many Women
Someone Else's Story
Terrace Duet
Hungarian Folk Song
No Contest
A Whole New Board Game
Let's Work Together
Lullaby

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

Videos