CHESS THE MUSICAL - Aotea Centre 1pm Matinee

Itinerary

Written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, 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. Includes the international hit singles ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night In Bangkok’. Other well-known songs from the score include ‘Anthem’, 'Someone Else's Story', ‘Heaven Help my Heart’ and ‘Pity The Child’. 

This semi-staged concert series with an incredible array of New Zealand musical theatre talent, the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra and a choir of thirty is presented by The Amici Trust and G & T Productions. Chess is filled with sumptuous musical arrangements and robust musical set-pieces abound throughout the gripping story.