Michaelhouse and St Anne schools team up again to perform one of musical theatre’s most interesting and complex works, Chess, which comes to Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse from 13 – 16 August.Based on an idea by Tim Rice, with music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by Tim Rice; Chess is one complicated and magnificent musical-theatre delight.
This highly-acclaimed musical develops the ancient and distinguished game of chess into a metaphor for romantic rivalries and East-West political intrigue. The story is loosely based on the Bobby Fischer story, the American Grandmaster with the crazy demands and terrible manners, who is Freddie in our story. The serious Russian champion Anatoly, and the Hungarian-American Florence complete the love triangle. Florence arrives at the international chess championships with the American but falls for the Russian. From Italy to Thailand the players, lovers, politicians, CIA and KGB make their moves to the pulse of this monumental rock score. Chess was a significant and powerful piece of musical theatre for its time as it allegorically reflected the Cold War tensions present in the 1980s, with the show embodying the government manipulations and paranoia, and the xenophobic attitudes present in the political climate of the time.
Several numbers, including "One Night in Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well", were massive hits, and numbers including "Pity the Child" and "Heaven Help My Heart" became enduring musical theatre ballads.
Chess is presented by the same team who brought you the Michaelhouse and St Anne’s musicals Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady, Abri Venter conducts the music and William le Cordeur directs this challenging theatrical work.
Listings:
Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse
13 August 14h00, 14, 15, 16 August 19h00
R120 (R80 scholars)
Bookings are online: https://www.tickethut.co.za/michaelhouse/events/chess-the-musical/
Complementary tea and eats served, cash bar available.