Alexandra to star in CHESS The Musical

Alexandra Burke announced to star in the major West End return of CHESS by Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus

Previews from 26 April 2018 at the London Coliseum

The first West End production of Chess since 1986 is to star Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Murray Head, Tim Howar and Cassidy Janson. 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.

This is the fourth production in collaboration with English National Opera by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, who brought Sunset Boulevard, Carousel and Sweeney Todd to the London Coliseum, the home of ENO. Michael Linnit and Michael Grade also produced 42nd Street, currently playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Alexandra Burke is Svetlana.

CHESS 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.

Featuring English National Opera’s award-winning Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by John Rigby with choreography by Stephen Mear, this new West End production will be directed by Laurence Connor, whose recent credits include School of Rock and Miss Saigon on Broadway and in the West End, Les Misérables on Broadway, and the international Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour. This is the fourth production in collaboration with ENO by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade.

Shubert Organisation Inc & Robert Fox Limited.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

CHESS
London Coliseum
St Martin’s Lane
London WC2N 4ES

Dates
Thursday 26 April – Saturday 2 June 2018
Press Night: Tuesday 1 May at 7.00pm

Performances
Mon – Sat 7.30pm, matinées – Wed & Sat 2.30pm

Tickets
From £12

Box Office: 020 7845 9300