It was decided to release the music as an album before any stage show was under way, a strategy that had proven successful with Rice's two previous musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Recording work on the album musical of Chess began in November 1983. The main recording was done at Polar Studios in Stockholm, with orchestral and choir parts recorded in London by the London Symphony Orchestra. Andersson himself played the keyboards. The protagonists, simply called the "American" and the "Russian" for the album, were sung by Murray Head and Tommy Körberg, respectively; the part of Florence, initially the American's second and subsequently the Russian's mistress, was sung by Elaine Paige while the part of Svetlana, the Russian's wife, was sung by Barbara Dickson. The album was sound-engineered and mixed by Michael B. Tretow, who worked with ABBA on all of their recordings.

The resulting album, a double LP, was released worldwide in the fall of 1984. The album's liner notes included a basic synopsis of the story. The music on the album was described by The New York Times in the contemporary review as "a sumptuously recorded...grandiose pastiche that touches half a dozen bases, from Gilbert and Sullivan to late Rodgers and Hammerstein, from Italian opera to trendy synthesizer-based pop, all of it lavishly arranged for the London Symphony Orchestra with splashy electronic embellishments". A single from the album, "One Night in Bangkok", performed by Murray Head (in verses) and Anders Glenmark (in chorus) became a worldwide smash, also reaching No.3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The duet "I Know Him So Well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson held the Number One spot on the UK singles charts for 4 weeks and won the Ivor Novello Award as the Best Selling Single ('A' Side).

1984 European concert tour

1986 West End

Chess premièred in the Prince Edward Theatre in London on 14 May 1986 and closed on 8 April 1989. The show was directed by director Trevor Nunn, who shepherded the show on to its scheduled opening, though with considerable technical difficulty. The three principal singers from the concept album, Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head reprised their roles on stage. Barbara Dickson declined to appear, and Siobhán McCarthy played the part of Svetlana.

The London version was a massive physical production, with estimated costs up to $12 million. It expanded the storyline of the concept album, adding considerable new recitative, and attracted several West End stars, such as Anthony Head, Grania Renihan, Ria Jones, David Burt, and Peter Karrie, during its three year run.

The production won the 1986 Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical, and received three 1986 Laurence Olivier Award nominations: Best Musical, Outstanding Performance by an Actor (Tommy Körberg) and Outstanding Performance by an Actress (Elaine Paige). In two of these categories (Best Musical and Outstanding Performance by an Actor) Chess lost to The Phantom of the Opera, by Rice's former collaborator Andrew Lloyd Webber.
 

London lyrics

1988 Broadway

After London, the creative team decided that the show had to be reimagined from the top down. Trevor Nunn brought in playwright Richard Nelson to recreate the musical as a straightforward "book show". Nunn brought in new, younger principals after he disqualified Paige from the role of Florence by insisting Nelson recreate the character as an American. The story changed drastically, with different settings, characters, and many different plot elements, although the basic plot remained the same. The changes necessitated the score to be reordered as well, and comparisons of the Broadway cast recording and the original concept album reveal the dramatic extent of the changes. Robin Wagner completely redesigned the set, which featured a ground-breaking design of mobile towers that shifted continuously throughout the show, in an attempt to give it a sense of cinematic fluidity.

The first preview on 11 April 1988 ran 4 hours with an unexpected 90 minute intermission (the stage crew reportedly had problems with the sets); by opening night on 28 April, it was down to 3 hours 15 minutes. But despite a healthy box-office advance, the Broadway production did not manage to sustain a consistently large audience and closed on 25 June, after 17 previews and 68 regular performances.

The Broadway production picked up several major award nominations. It got five nods from the Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (David Carroll), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Judy Kuhn), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Harry Goz), Outstanding Music (Andersson and Ulvaeus) and Outstanding Lighting Design (David Hersey). Carroll and Kuhn also received Tony Award nominations in Leading Actor in a Musical and Leading Actress in a Musical categories. None of the nominations resulted in the win, but Philip Casnoff did receive the 1988 Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance. Original Broadway Cast recording of the musical was nominated for 1988 Grammy Award in the category Best Musical Cast Show Album (won by the Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods).

Broadway lyrics.

1989 Carnegie Hall concert

The next major concert was organized 9 January 1989 by David Carroll (Anatoly in the Broadway production) as a benefit concert in Carnegie Hall. Again, the house sold out and again, the audience was thrilled. But this was unique since the entire original company (except two ensemble members) came from all over the world to perform the songs from the show that had failed at the Imperial Theatre less than a year before. But the music, freed from the dreary sets and dialogue, proved to be as potent as always.

Overture The Story Of Chess What A Scene! Where I Want To Be How Many Women? Merchandisers U.S. Vs U.S.S.R. Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) (Part II) You Want To Lose Your Only Friend ? Someone Else'S Story One Night In Bangkok Terrace Duet Florence Quits Nobody'S Side Anthem Entracte Hungarian Folk Song Heaven Help My Heart No Contest You And I You And I {Live Carnegie Hall Reprise} Let'S Work Together I Know Him So Well Pity The Child Lullaby (Apukád Erós Kezén) Endgame You And I {Live Carnegie Hall Reprise II} Anthem {Live Carnegie Hall Reprise}

 

 

1989 Skellefteå concert

Over the years, starting after the London production closed, Chess has been staged in concert in Sweden. Thanks to David Polberger in Sweden, the following history is translated from the most recent concert's programme: "When the chess tournament was settled in Skelletftea of Sweden in the fall of 1989, Chess in Concert was once again performed in Sweden [for the first time since the Concept Album was introduced]. Three sold out concerts, over 10,000 people in the audience and it was recorded for TV. All that because one enthusiastic theatre director thought that 'a chess tournament requires Chess.'"

Principal Cast: Florence - Judy Kuhn Freddie - Murray Head Anatoly - Tommy Körberg Sveltana -  Sissel Kirkjebo Molokov - Johan Schinkler Arbiter - Anders Glenmark Conductor - Anders Eljas Piano & Accorrdeon - Benny Andersson Narrator - Björn Ulvaeus

Introduction Merano What A Scene! Merano How Many Women Where I Want To Be U.S. Vs U.S.S.R. Merchandisers Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) The American And Florence Nobody'S Side Chess Mountain Duet Florence Quits Someone Else'S Story Embassy Lament Anthem Bangkok One Night In Bangkok Heaven Help My Heart Argument I Know Him So Well The Deal (No Deal) Pity The Child Endgame Epilogue You And I The Story Of Chess

 

1990 United States Tour

Opened 9 January 1990 at the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts, Miami Beach, Florida. Closed 13 May 1990 (limited run)

Cast FLORENCE..................Carolee Carmello FREDDIE...................Stephen Bogardus ANATOLY...................John Herrera WALTER....................Gregory Jbara SVETLANA..................Barbara Walsh ARBITER...................Ken Ard MOLOKOV...................David Hurst The Company - Edward Connery, Dina Dailey, Valerie Depena, Justine DiCostanzo, Tom Flynn, Timm Fujii, Philip Hernandez, Kim Lindsay, Pat Moya, Brenda O'Brien, Steve Ochoa, Thomas James O'Leary, Tom Rocco, Carol Denise Smith, Larry Solowitz, Vernon Spencer, Nephi Jay Wimmer, Susan Wood, Michael Gerhart, Malinda Shaffer

ACT ONE The show opens with the "Story of Chess," led by the Arbiter on a full-stage underlit chessboard with the chorus moving giant pieces. The story begins in a stylized Bangkok hotel lobby. Freddie's entrance is introduced by press commentary from a 16-set vidiwall and he announces he's going to go head-to-head with a chess-playing computer. The meeting in the Arbiter's chambers and his song have been reinstated from London, but "U.S. vs U.S.S.R." and the "Merchandiser's Song" are gone. Freddie's tantrum over the "coded" yogurt, Florence's fight with Freddie, and romance with Anatoly proceed as in the Nelson version, though Florence is much more upset about Freddie catching her kissing his rival. She follows him and apologizes for betraying his trust. Anatoly doesn't defect, per se; he seeks immigrant status primarily to keep Florence from leaving Bangkok. He says he loves her; she's not sure. The press wants to know if he's denouncing perestroika and he answers with "Anthem."

ACT TWO The second act is continuous action from the first act. Florence pounds on Freddie's door to apologize again. But he's missing, out on the seedy streets of the city ("One Night in Bangkok"). He's badly beaten up before he's found by Walter. A week passes and Florence is both regretful of hurting Freddie and anxious to please Anatoly. She and Anatoly are being followed and spied upon; they don't know by whom. Svetlana arrives and tries to bring Anatoly back to the marital and Soviet fold. Molokov tells Anatoly of all the disasters befalling his relatives in Russia since his "emigration." Anatoly becomes an emotional wreck. Florence, still seeking Freddie's blessing, begs him to help Anatoly by asking for another week off. He does, but the Arbiter won't go for it. When Anatoly complains of being given the run-around at the U.S. Embassy, Svetlana--veteran of long lines in Russia--is the one who comforts him. He is told that his nephew has been hurt and again, Svetlana shares his memories. Florence fears her relationship with Anatoly is the cause of his troubles and Anatoly vows to forfeit the match rather than give her up. Freddie convinces him not to. Anatoly plays and loses. Freddie disappears. Anatoly decides to go home, reconciles with Svetlana and says goodbye to Florence. Walter tells her that Molokov got him to make Anatoly's emigration and life hellish in exchange for a franchise to sell American chess products in the Soviet Union. Florence is furious and tells him to leave. His parting words are that Freddie is waiting outside and he still cares. She ends with "Someone Else's Story."

1991 Sydney

In July 1991, a version of Chess premièred in Sydney, Australia, performed at the MLC Centre's Theatre Royal. This version was spearheaded by Tim Rice, who brought in parts from each of the previous versions, as well as what had been his original conception for the Broadway version. The production was directed by Jim Sharman.

The Sydney version further streamlined the plot, having both acts take place at a single chess match in a single city (Bangkok). This version takes place in the late 1980s. Florence's nationality was changed from Hungarian to Czech, which changed the year that the Soviets overran her country from 1956 to 1968 (with an accompanying change in the lyrics of "Nobody's Side" from "Budapest is falling" to "Prague and Mr. Dubcek"). As in the London version, in this version Anatoly defects from the Soviet Union, wins the match, then decides to return to the Soviet Union at the end, leading to the possibility that Florence's father, if he is still alive, will be released from prison.

Many of the numbers were lengthened considerably from London, with an extended "One Night in Bangkok" near the top of the show. "Heaven Help My Heart" ended the first act, with "Anthem" and "Someone Else's Story" (sung by Svetlana with new lyrics) in the second. "The Soviet Machine" and "The Deal" were also extended considerably.
 

Principal cast Freddie — David McLeod Florence — Jodie Gillies Anatoly — Robbie Krupski Molokov — John Wood Walter — David Whitney Arbiter — Laurence Clifford Svetlana — Maria Mercedes

ACT ONE The story begins with a ballet redolent of ancient Thai rituals with the "Story of Chess" played out by warriors and a queen. A brief scene in the hotel lobby introduces us to the characters: Freddie, Florence and Walter, Anatoly, Molokov and Svetlana (she's in the top of the show for the first time, and an equal to the other main characters). "One Night in Bangkok" introduces the city, and it's sung by both Freddie and Anatoly, united in curiosity and touri\sm before the competition begins. The scene in the Arbiter's chambers, the children's hymn"Tournament Anthem," The Arbiter's Song," "U.S. vs. U.S.S.R" and "The Merchandiser's Song" are mixed and blended together, followed by the "Quartet," which is staged on the chessboard. In Florence and Freddie's bedroom ("Argument/Nobody's Side"), battle begins. Florence, long in Freddie's shadow, is fighting for her soul. In Anatoly and Svetlana's bedroom, we learn he's tired of his wife, Russia, chess and his life ("Where I Want to Be"). In the hotel lobby bar, the chorus and the Arbiter comment on relationships, romance and life("Cocktail Chorus"). Molokov finds "this new openness is such a strain." He longs for the Cold War days when dealing with opposite numbers was easier: "You knew you couldn't trust them." The chorus comments again, setting up the duet, where Florence is truly entranced by the sexy Russian ("Terrace Duet"). Freddie and Anatoly square off in "No Contest" (originally written for Walter and Freddie) then Florence breaks up with Freddie ("Florence Quits"). Anatoly wins the next game and, with Walter's help, defects, asking Florence to share his new life in the West ("Heaven Help My Heart"). Svetlana is devastated, Molokov astounded, Freddie furious. The act ends with the entire company singing "One night in Bangkok and the world's in turmoil, not much between despair and ecstasy...."

ACT TWO The second act opens with "Embassy Lament" while Anatoly cools his heels waiting for his papers. Svetlana and Anatoly have an emotional scene together ("You and I"), then Anatoly says goodbye to Russia ("Anthem"). Svetlana says her goodbye to their life together ("Someone Else's Story"). Freddie catches Florence moving her luggage and they also have a memory-filled goodbye. He's more upset than he lets her see, and soothes his ego with "Pity the Child." Molokov and his cohorts then unite in "The Soviet Machine," now set in a sports club where they plot how to turn the situation to their advantage. Molokov and Walter work out a deal ( "The Deal I") whereby Molokov will give Florence evidence proving her father is still alive in Prague if Walter "Let's Work Together" gives Anatoly the bureaucratic run-around. "The Deal II" is sought between all of the principal players, culminating in "I Know Him So Well," now sung by Florence about Freddie and Svetlana about Anatoly. "Endgame" has the force of London plus the clarity of New York, with Anatoly and Freddie in pitched battle for the championship. Anatoly wins, decides to return to Moscow and Svetlana. She's a graceful winner and there's a nice moment of compassion for Florence. Walter reveals it's all for naught, that the papers from Prague are suspect. She and Svetlana part with respect and she and Anatoly part with regret ( "You and I"). But Florence's cry at the end is hopeful: she's lost Freddie, Anatoly and her father but has found herself.

 

1992 Budapest
 

1994 Gothenburg concert

This is a recording of a concert performance (not a full stage production) in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1994. The songs and lyrics are largely identical to the studio album, with the addition of "Someone Else's Story" from the Broadway version and "The Soviet Machine," from the London version. Notable principal cast members included Anders Glenmark as Freddie, Karin Glenmark as Florence and Tommy Körberg as Anatoly.

"The first time this ensemble performed Chess together was in August of 1994." The Swedish Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra was ready to launch a new concert hall in Eriksberg--a former docklands area--and chose Chess as its opening attraction. This series of now-legendary concerts inaugurated more than a new building. They became an annual event, held in Gothenburg each June. The August 1994 concert was recorded and its CD remains available in many countries. Tommy Körberg recreates his role as Anatoly, with Anders and Karin Glenmark (Swedish recording artists who did vocals on the original Concept Album) as Freddie and Florence and original, London and Broadway orchestrator Anders Eljas at the podium as conductor. Benny Andersson played both piano and accordian for the concert. "'Our music cannot sound better than this,' said Benny Andersson" after the initial 1994 concerts.

 

1995 Los Angeles

1997 Melbourne

 

1998 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids New York Concerts

Since Chess closed on Broadway, there have been many regional productions of the musical, some staged or semi-staged. But a great deal of attention was focused on a recent pair of Chess in Concert benefit performances because many of the participants were concurrently starring in Broadway musicals. Presented on two Sunday nights (10 and 17 May 1998), many of the performers literally ran from their curtain calls to the John Houseman Theatre and onto its stage.

The superb logo designed exclusively for these concerts was created by James Marino and is © 1998 Bucket-A-Fish and is used by permission.

The cast was stellar: Robert Evan, Christiane Noll and Raymond Jaramillo McLeod are were starring in Jekyll and Hyde. Michael Cerveris and Brian D'Arcy James came from starring roles in Titanic, Dave Clemmons from The Scarlet Pimpernel, Alice Ripley from Side Show and Danny Zolli, a veteran of dozens of productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. Most of the ensemble also came directly from Broadway's stages.

CAST Narrator.............MICHAEL CERVERIS Freddie (17 May).....DAVE CLEMMONS Freddie (10 May).....BRIAN D'ARCY JAMES Anatoly..............ROBERT EVAN Molokov..............RAYMOND JARAMILLO McLEOD Florence.............CHRISTIANE NOLL Svetlana.............ALICE RIPLEY The Arbiter.......DANNY ZOLLI WITH Bill E. Dietrich, Jennifer Little, Robert Longo, Michelle Mallardi, Michael Messer, Kevyn Morrow, Brad Oscar, Trevor Richardson, Jeri Sager, Douglas Storm, Kay Story, Eileen Tepper, Allyson Tucker, Laura Voss. Directed by Philip Hoffman

MUSICAL NUMBERS: Merano What a Scene, What a Joy Where I Want to Be The Arbiter's Song/US vs USSR Quartet You Wanna Lose Your Only Friend Someone Else's Story Mountain Duet So You Got What You Want Nobody's Side Embassy Lament Anthem One Night in Bangkok Heaven Help My Heart You and I I Know Him So Well The Story of Chess Hymn to Chess The Deal Pity the Child Endgame You and I This concert also added a Narrator and a number of the London production's songs were used including "Merano," "Embassy Lament" and "The Arbiter's Song." Svetlana was given Broadway's "Someone Else's Story" as well as "Heaven Help My Heart." The concerts sold out well in advance and the ecstatic audience cheered every number, especially "The Arbiter's Song" and "Pity the Child." There was a great deal of discussion in the lobby afterwards that it was definitely time for a major revial of Chess.

2001 Denmark tour

In late 2001, a Danish tour was created, directed by Craig Revel Horwood. A two-CD album of the tour of Chess was released. The tour followed the London version of the musical, with the addition of "Someone Else's Story," given to Svetlana in Act Two. The first release of the album had the complete London score (minus small portions of underscoring); however, this was pulled from circulation, to be replaced with a much shorter, trimmed-down version closer to the original concept album. Zubin Varla played Frederick, Stig Rossen played Anatoly, Emma Kershaw played Florence and Michael Cormick was the Arbiter.

 

2002 Stockholm

In late 2001, rumours began to circulate about a new production in Stockholm. Written entirely in Swedish, with lyrics and book by Björn Ulvaeus, Lars Rudolffson, and Jan Mark, it attempted to streamline the story back to its original form and eliminate the aspects of political potboiler that had come to define the show. Featuring new musical numbers (Svetlana's "Han är en man, han är ett barn" ("He is a man, he is a child") and Molokov's "Glöm mig om du kan" ("Forget me if you can")) and focusing on material from the concept album, the Stockholm version was a drastic rewrite. Notable cast members included Helen Sjöholm as Florence, Tommy Körberg as Anatolij and Anders Ekborg as Freddie. It was filmed for Swedish television, and has been released on a Swedish-language DVD.

The Stockholm production was nominated for eight national Swedish Theatre Awards Guldmasken and won six of them, including Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Helen Sjöholm), Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Tommy Körberg), and Best Stage Design (Robin Wagner). The Original Swedish Cast CD "Chess På Svenska" peaked at number 2 on the Swedish album chart.

Plot Synopsis (Summary and Song List) - (Verbatim handout in English which was given to English speakers who purchased tickets to the live production. Only additions to this verbatim text are corrected misspellings and commas for clarity. All names [Anatolij, Vaszi, etc.], places, etc. are transcribed verbatim from the CHESS - PLOT SUMMARY handout received at Stockholm Cirkus.)

DAY 1

The Russian chessplayer Anatolij Sergievski leaves his family's suburban apartment in Moscow to depart for the World Chess Championships 1986 (Story of Chess). At the airport, he is greeted by the KGB-man and his advisor Molokov and another few KGB-men (Where I want to be).
In the Italian town Merano they meet the American chessplayer Freddie Trumper and his advisor Florence Vaszi. Freddie causes a scandal in the hotel vestibule when he insults Anatolij. The incident results in a fight between Freddie and Florence who remembers how her father was captured in Hungary when she was small (Autumn '56).
Florence ends up in the hotel's disco and tries to drown her sorrows (Nobody's on Nobody's side).

DAY 2

The Chess tournament is inaugurated with a ceremony performed by the arbiter (The Arbiter). During the first game Freddie loses his temper and leaves the room (Quartet).
In the evening Florence is sitting alone and miserable in the bar. The Russian player Anatolij walks past and makes contact with her. An attraction and excitement arises between them and they leave the hotel together (Someone Else's Story.)
When Molokov discovers that Anatolij has disappeared, panic breaks out in the Soviet camp, the secret police is alerted.
In Moscow, Anatolij's wife Svetlana and their son are discreetly taken from a church by some KGB-men, to be taken to serve as bait for Anatolij in the west.
Anatolij decides to apply for political asylum, and together with Florence he goes to the American consulate. Later a large press conference is organized there due to the recent incident (Mountain Duet).
From the press conference, Freddie gains knowledge of Anatolij's asylum seeking. Anatolij is forced to confront his innermost thoughts regarding the defection (Anthem).
Intermission.

DAY 3

At the hotel room, Freddie accusingly shows the newspaper to Florence which contains pictures of her with the Soviet player. The confrontation ends with her leaving him (Florence Quits / Pity the Child.)
Svetlana and her son arrive at the hotel in Merano accompanied by two KGB-men. Anatolij's feelings and loyalty are tested by Svetlana and KGB (Endgame). Anatolij leaves the hotel.
Alone, Florence realizes what she truly feels (Heaven Help my Heart). At the same time a confused Svetlana goes in search of her husband (Who am I).
In a celbration of spring in Merano, Anatolij and Florence meet and share a short time of happiness in the crowds of the carnival. Suddenly, Freddie appears and there is a big confrontation (The Deal).
In the calm after the fight, Florence and Anatolij confide in each other (You and I).

DAY 4

At a press conference, the judge informs that the games will continue (The Arbiter).
Florence and Svetlana meet by change and a fight over Anatolij ensues (I know him so well).
Plagued by his conscience, Molokov remembers his great love (Forget me if you can). Nevertheless, he still carries out his threat: If Anatolij joins the west, his family will suffer. He must forfeit the game, blame it on his health and claim that he must return to Moscow.
Anatolij makes his choice, loses the game to save his family ("Capablanca" choir). After the game, Anatolij and Florence say their last sad farewells and part (You and I / Story of Chess).

The third Hungarian production of Chess opened on August 7, 2010, in the open-air theatre of Margaret Island, Budapest. It is a concert production which closely follows the script of the Royal Albert Hall production of 2008 (though songs "Hymn of Chess", "The Merchendisers", "The Arbiter (Reprise)" and "Talking Chess" were cut). After two performances on August 7 and 8, the production is set to move into an indoors theatre, the Magyar Színház, where the opening night will be on October 30. The original premier date was August 6, but because of the rainy weather it was moved to August 8 and the August 7 performance, which was originally intended to be the second, became the debut. It is produced by PS Produkció and directed by Cornelius Baltus. The Hungarian lyrics are written by Ágnes Romhányi, the choreographer is Karen Bruce, and the stage and costume design are created by Kentaur.

Cast

Anatoly Sergievsky: Géza Egyházi / Gábor Bot
Florence Vassy: Éva Sári / Tímea Kecskés
Frederick Trumper: János Szemenyei / Levente Csordás
Alexander Molokov: Géza Gábor
Svetlana Sergievsky: Tímea Kecskés / Réka Koós
Arbiter: Erno Zsolt Kiss / Gábor Bot
Walter de Courcy: Béla Pavletits
Leonyid Viigand: Viktor Varga / Gábor Jenei
Mayor: Dávid Sándor
Diplomats, team members: Gábor Jenei, Zsolt Szentirmai, Ádám Pásztor, Szabolcs Hetei-Bakó
Reporters: Darinka Nyári, Beáta Ajtai, Márta Debreczeni, Réka Kovács, Vera Fekete-Kovács, Kinga Csóka-Vasass
Dancers: Anikó Szabó, Szilvia Taródi, Erzsébet Szilágyi, Kinga Varga, Zita Horváth, Petra Sallak, Lajos Túri, Krisztián Ködmen,
Ádám Csepi, Ádám Sólya, Tamás Törõcsik

Choir: Jazz And More (director: Ágnes Halkovics)
Only the first cast performed on the Margaret Island, except for Frederick, who was played by János Szemenyei on the 7th August and Levente Csordás on the 8th. The second cast will also start performing when the production moves to the Magyar Színház.

 

A new stage production of Chess which is being directed by Craig Revel Horwood is run around the UK. This is an actor-musician production with 25 out of the 30 cast members playing instruments. The cast includes Daniel Koek as 'The Russian', James Fox as 'The American', Shona White as Florence Vassey, Poppy Tierney as Svetlana, Steve Varnom as Molokov, James Graeme as Walter and David Erik as 'The Arbiter'. Changes to the songs include the removal of 'Merano' and 'Florence and Walter'. The tour starts with previews on 27 August in Newcastle, then continues on to Northampton, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Aberdeen, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Salford, Cardiff, Bradford, Southampton, Nottingham, Norwich and Plymouth.

The creative team includes Tony Award winning orchestrator Sarah Travis and set designer Christopher Woods.

More info at www.chess-the-musical.co.uk