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Chess - The Musical

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Musical genius Tim Rice teamed up with former ABBA members Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson to pen a musical about chess, of all things. Rice was responsible for the book and lyrics, and the former ABBA members were in charge of writing the music.

The concept album was recorded in 1984 and was responsible for a number of hit singles, including One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well. After the first album, the theatrical version made its debut in London's West End in 1986 and stayed there for three years. It received the London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical, as well as three Laurence Olivier Award nominations.

Before debuting on Broadway in 1988 it underwent a rewrite to better suit an American audience. It was hoped that after the editing it could then replicate the success it had in the West End, but it was generally panned by the critics and was unable to get enough audience in to break even. Despite the bad reviews, it still managed to secure several major award nominations.

Over the years Chess: The Musical has been tweaked and tinkered with, and now the BLOC Inc theatre company brings it back to Sydney in a new and updated incarnation that still retains its original themes and great songs.

Patrick Tangye