Chess in Concert - Preview
Preview by Jack Foley
WARNER Music Entertainment makes its move for check mate as they announce the September 14 release of Chess In Concert in a DVD, 2 CD and 1 CD highlights package to mark the 25th anniversary of Chess The Musical.
On May 12 and 13, 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, there were two spectacular, standing room only performances of Chess in Concert, with story and lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!), formerly of Abba.
Chess in Concert is directed by Hugh Wooldridge and adapted by Sir Tim Rice and Hugh Wooldridge. It features the platinum selling artist Josh Groban, Broadway’s Idina Menzel (Wicked), Adam Pascal (Rent), chart-topping Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow as The Arbiter, the West End’s Kerry Ellis, Clarke Peters and David Bedella.
Also featured were the Chess in Concert company, the 100-strong West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall.
Sir Tim Rice introduced both performances in front of packed houses and was delighted to see the spontaneous standing ovations at the end of each show.
Chess involves a romantic triangle between two players in a World Chess Championship, and the woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.
Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific individuals, the characters are loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fisher, who died earlier in 2008.
Following the formula of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, a concept album of Chess was recorded in 1984 and spawned two international hits, One Night in Bangkok, performed by Murray Head, and I Know Him So Well, performed by Elaine Page and Barbra Dickson, which topped the UK charts for four weeks.
The first theatrical version of Chess opened in London’s West End in 1986 and played for three years.
It has long been recognised that Chess has unprecedented musical pedigree and this release is a must-own DVD and CD for any fan of musical theatre, not to mention those who have been introduced to the talents of its creators through Mamma Mia! and Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Certificate: N/A
Running time: 145mins (approx)
UK Release Date: September 14, 2009