| Chess is a musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and | | | | and Today called it "gripping, eye-catching.. nearly |
| music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, | | | | a major triumph". Michael Ratcliffe wrote in |
| formerly of ABBA. The story involves a romantic | | | | Observer that "operetta plot which would have |
| triangle between two top players, an American | | | | delighted mature Lehar is dramatised in a buoyant, |
| and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and | | | | eclectic and stirring theatre-score" and called |
| a woman who manages one and falls in love with | | | | Körberg "the indisputable star of the show". |
| the other; all in the context of a Cold War | | | | Sheridan Morley in International Herald Tribune |
| struggle between the United States and the | | | | complimented show's "remarkably coherent |
| Soviet Union, during which both countries wanted | | | | dramatic shape ... staging of considerable |
| to win international chess tournaments for | | | | intelligence and invention". |
| propaganda purposes. Following the pattern of | | | | Following the pattern of Jesus Christ Superstar |
| Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, a highly | | | | and Evita, a highly successful concept album of |
| successful concept album of Chess was released | | | | Chess was released in 1984. The first theatrical |
| in 1984. | | | | production of Chess opened in London's West End |
| The premiere of the musical provoked an overall | | | | in 1986 and played for three years. A |
| mixed to favourable verdict from the critics and, | | | | much-altered US version premièred on |
| according to Variety Magazine, "one of the bigger | | | | Broadway in 1988, but survived only for two |
| West End mob-scenes in recent memory". Most | | | | months. Chess is frequently revised for new |
| of the naysaying notices had comments ranging | | | | productions, many of which try to merge |
| from "far too long" and "shallow, improbable story | | | | elements from both the London and Broadway |
| masquerading as a serious musical" (The Sunday | | | | versions; however, no major revival production of |
| Times) to The Guardian's conclusion, "A musical is | | | | the musical has yet been attempted either on |
| only as good as its book, and here one is | | | | West End or Broadway. |
| confronted by an inchoate mess." | | | | The first theatrical production of Chess opened in |
| Other newspapers posted raving reviews. The | | | | London's West End in 1986 and played for three |
| Daily Telegraph wrote that the show | | | | years. Chess came seventh in a BBC Radio 2 |
| "gift-wrapped and gorgeous...compels admiration", | | | | listener poll of the United Kingdom's "Number One |
| The Times noted that "it turns out to be a fine | | | | Essential Musicals.Chess Musical Tickets are |
| piece of work that shows the dinosaur | | | | available at Sold Out Ticket Market at nominal |
| mega-musical evolving into intelligent form of life" | | | | rates. |