Chess Tickets

Is this really a musical about a chess game? Well, yes and no. It’s about two grandmasters – that’s the highest title you can ever be awarded for playing chess – and a match for ultimate supremacy. But it’s also set in the middle of the Cold War, when two governments were vying the same political title, the grandmaster of the world (so to speak).It’s also about love – because what would a musical be if we didn’t throw in a complicated love interest too! Back in 1986, when it first premiered, that love interest was played by none other than West End superstar, Elaine Paige.

But still, why do I want to see a musical about Chess?Well, it’s not been on in the West End for over 30 years, so it’s pretty exciting that it’s coming back. Also, it’s playing at the London Coliseum, which is running full steam ahead with musical revivals at the moment. Don’t forget, it recently had Katherine Jenkins with Alfie Boe in Carousel. Before that, the stage was graced by the presence of Glenn Close and Michael Xavier for Sunset Boulevard.

Who’s it by? It better be someone good for me to watch a show about Chess! Oh, it absolutely is. The music is composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus – they’re from ABBA, so they know a thing or two about writing catchy songs! The lyrics are by Sir Tim Rice, who’s had more than a couple of hits on the West End…Think Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; think Evita; think Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s done some others too in case you haven’t heard of those – basically, he’s a pretty huge deal.

Sounds like it’s full of great talent! But it’s a musical and I don’t know any of the songs! Yes, you do. In fact, the original production, which premiered on the West End in 1986, was preceded by a concept album in 1984. That was a long time ago, granted, but the most famous song from the show is “I Know Him So Well”. It was originally sung by Barbara Dickson and Paige, got to number 1 in 1985 for three weeks and won an Ivor Novell Award. It’s also widely listed as one of the Top 10 best-selling duets ever in the UK. Play it now and watch yourself unexpectedly singing along!