Chess The Musical - Stellar Cast Announced
Published: 17 Mar 2022
With music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA), book and lyrics by Tim Rice,
CHESS THE MUSICAL is arguably one of the most memorable scores ever heard.
Featuring global smash hits ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night in Bangkok’, this extraordinary
semi-staged musical also features much-loved standards such as ‘Anthem’, ‘Someone Else’s Story’, ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ and ‘Pity The Child’.
This powerful new production of CHESS THE MUSICAL features an all-New Zealand cast, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and a 30-strong choir, for five performances only.
INTRIGUE. POWER. BEAUTY.
Producers of CHESS THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce a stellar cast for the semi-staged series at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre this June.
Playing the lead roles of Frederick and Anatoly – fierce competitors on the chess board and for the love of one woman – are music chart-topping pop artist Michael Murphy, and international opera star Edward Laurenson.
Caught in their love triangle is Florence, played by Heather Wilcock whose glorious soaring voice landed her the role of Elphaba in Wicked in multiple New Zealand productions. She has also played Tracy in Hairspray and Eva Peron in Evita in both Auckland and Wellington.
Trying to bring order and dignity to the game as Arbiter will be one of New Zealand’s favourite entertainers, Jackie Clarke MNZM. Jackie’s highlights include performing in The Lady Killers with Tina Cross and Suzanne Lynch for 15 years, and starring in musical theatre shows such as Once, Mamma Mia!, Anything Goes, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Porgy and Bess, and Sweet Charity.
Television and theatre star Stephen Butterworth (Ngati Porou) will be playing the smarmy and sly American television producer Walter. Stephen achieved a cult following for his roles at Pop-up Globe and has appeared in The Lord of the Rings and Shortland Street.
Playing Anatoly’s sidekick-turned-manipulator for the state, Molokov, is Matthew Cutts, a Kiwi whose star has shone brightly on the West End in London and across Europe, performing in some of the world’s biggest productions including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!, Grease, Cats, Saturday Night Fever, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jersey Boys.
Playing Anatoly’s ex-wife Svetlana is Rebecca Wright, who has enjoyed an illustrious career in the musical theatre industry, most recently performing the role of Fantine in Les Misérables at The Civic in Auckland, to critical acclaim.
The production will also feature an outstanding ensemble and mass choir.
Ensemble: Ben Wombwell, Esther Dawson, Jamie Cottingham, Jeremy Downing, Melanie Davys, Nomi Cohen, Patricia Bell, Sean MacFarlane, and Skyler Jed.
Choir: Alice Merrall, Cathy Betty, Chantelle Gerrard, Charlotte Carroll, Chiara van Baarle, Christina Davies, Christine Wrightson, Emily Briggs, Jocelyn Scott, Katherine Cornish, Kathryn Cross, Leah Escondo, Liz Reilly, Mikaela Stroud, Nicola Murphy, Rebecca Hubbert, Vanessa Preston, Trudy Price, Joanna Wood, Amin Roberts, Andy Woodd, Craig Rodgers, Dave Torres, David Wallace, Dwayne Mallo, Flip Hirst, George Keenan, Greg Milner-White, Jack Chen-Sinclair, Jesse Reynolds, Jonathan Bishop, Kristoff Beens, Matt Bruce, and Myles Whittaker.
CHESS THE MUSICAL is produced by the Amici Trust and G & T Productions, in partnership with Auckland Live and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre at the Aotea Centre in Auckland from 16 – 19 June 2022, for five performances only.
This semi-staged production, featuring our incredible entertainers and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, will be filled with sumptuous musical arrangements set to a gripping story.
Written in 1984 by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Sir Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita) CHESS THE MUSICAL features hits including ‘I Know Him So Well’ – recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest selling UK chart single ever by a female duo – and the upbeat pop favourite ‘One Night In Bangkok’.
CHESS THE MUSICAL tells the story of a complex love triangle combined with dramatic political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the early 1980s, where Soviet and American forces attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political gains.
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 chess title gets underway.
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.
The musical originally premiered in London's West End in 1986 (where it was revived in 2018), starring the beloved Elaine Paige. The season ran for three years, resulting in a BBC listener poll ranking CHESS THE MUSICAL seventh in a list of ‘Number One Essential Musicals’ of all time.
Chess the board game, however, is the world’s most popular sport with 605 million fans and now enjoys even more popularity following the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, which according to Netflix drew a record audience of 62 million households. In the first three weeks after the TV series’ debut, sales of chess sets in the US jumped by 87% and sales of chess books leaped 603%.
CHESS THE MUSICAL is produced by the makers of last year’s theatrical extravaganza JERSEY BOYS and is directed by Jeremy Hinman (Jersey Boys, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert). Musical direction is by Penny Dodd (Chicago, Evita, Cats, Anything Goes, 42nd Street, and The Phantom of the Opera) and vocal direction is by Jane Horder (Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar - NZ / Australia tour, Chess NZ Tour, Into the Woods, Hair, Hello Dolly)
Make your move quickly. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
Venue: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland.
Dates: Performances from 16 June 2022.
Times: Thursday 7.30pm; Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 2pm.
Tickets: Tickets from $49.10. A service fee applies.
About:
G&T Productions have, for the last decade, produced quality and affordable musical theatre for New Zealand audiences. This has been achieved by collaborating with musical theatre community groups, corporate sponsors, and community trusts. The sustainable success of this model has provided significant funds to non-profit performing community arts organisations to assist in growing the community performing arts sector in New Zealand for all ages. Other benefits have been providing the opportunity for both professional and non-professional performers, designers, and technicians to participate in some of New Zealand's largest musical theatre projects, giving those same people the opportunity to work on New Zealand's most iconic and largest stages. In addition, many training and development opportunities have also launched several professional careers in the arts sector. Previous productions include: Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, 42nd Street, Rent, and Cats.
The Amici Trust was formed in 2011 to encourage participation in all aspects of performing arts through its productions, workshops and network. The Trust actively supports opportunities within the greater Auckland area with a current focus on musical theatre. The Trust's vision is to foster excellence in the performing arts for the enjoyment of all New Zealanders and to provide a platform for development in all areas of the arts. The Trust’s mission is two-fold. First, it aims to foster excellence in performing arts for the enjoyment of all New Zealanders which is evidenced in its most recent, and highly acclaimed productions Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. The second is to develop the next generation of performers. In 2017, it hosted the inaugural New Zealand Junior Theatre Celebration in association with MTI Australia and iTheatrics, New York. This gave young local performers the chance to be tutored by world-class performers. As part of this, The Trust established a Junior Theatre Scholarship to provide pathways for emerging artists. This year, the Trust will be announcing further initiatives for the development and growth of Junior Theatre in New Zealand.
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is New Zealand’s full-time professional metropolitan orchestra, serving the country’s largest and most vibrant city with a comprehensive programme of concerts, education, and outreach activities.
In more than 70 mainstage performances annually, the APO presents a full season of symphonic work showcasing many of the world’s finest classical musicians. The APO is also proud to support both New Zealand Opera and the Royal New Zealand Ballet in their Auckland performances, as well as working in partnership with Auckland Arts Festival and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Renowned for its innovation, passion and versatility, the APO collaborates with some of New Zealand’s most inventive artists. Through its numerous APO Connecting (education, outreach, and community) initiatives the APO offers opportunities to more than 20,000 young people and adults nationwide to participate in music. More than 250,000 people hear the orchestra live each year, with many thousands more reached through special events, recordings and other media.
Auckland Live is custodian to some of the most iconic venues in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (including The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, the Aotea Centre, and the Bruce Mason Centre). It is Aotearoa New Zealand’s only major integrated performing arts centre, underpinned by a commercial conventions business, with a focus on creating memories that last a lifetime through presenting the best of national and international performing arts, conventions, meetings, and entertainment, as well as a range of community-focused programmes that all contribute towards a culturally rich Auckland.
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For media inquiries, contact Sandra Roberts 021 525105 | Sandra@skip.co.nz
Print quality photos available for download at skip.co.nz
The health and safety of our patrons and staff is our priority. G & T Productions, The Amici Trust, Auckland Live, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will be operating to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines and directives in place during Chess The Musical.
