The board is set, the pieces are moving: Edinburgh Music Theatre (EMT) will perform Chess: the Musical at the Church Hill Theatre next week (10-14 March)!
With music by ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson, and lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night in Bangkok, Pity the Child, Anthem, You and I and I Know Him So Well (made popular by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson).
The musical follows the story of two of the world’s greatest chess masters as they battle it out at the world chess championships, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win her heart in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War.
A highly successful concept album of Chess was released in 1984. The first theatrical production of Chess opened in London’s West End in 1986 and played for three years.
EMT was formed in 1982, to perform large-scale musicals in major theatres. They perform a yearly musical and also present two cabaret shows at the Fringe. Past shows include Boogie Nights, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and a run of Sweeney Todd that incorporated British Sign Language into every aspect of the performance, including choreography.
The cast of amateur performers have been in rehearsals for Chess since October last year, working together in their spare time to put together a musical spectacular.
Mike Davies, the director, said: “We can’t wait to bring Chess to the Church Hill Theatre this March. “A team of over fifty performers and crew has been involved in putting together this fantastic, unmissable show.
“While ‘I Know Him so Well’ was the breakout song from Chess, the score is packed with stunning ballads, intricate chorus numbers and spellbinding duets. Grab your tickets while you can.”
Performances of Chess will take place in the Church Hill Theatre from 10-14 March at 7:30pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday 14 March at 2:30pm. Tickets are available through the Usher Hall website and booking line 0131 228 1155.
Listing Details:
Edinburgh Music Theatre presents Chess: the Musical.
The Church Hill Theatre, Morningside Road, Edinburgh.
7:30pm (Saturday Matinee 2:30pm)
Tickets: Tues and Sat Matinee – all tickets £12; Wed – Sat £14 (£12 conc.).
