By arrangement with Three Knights Limited, The Shubert Organisation Inc and Robert Fox Limited Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre presents
CHESS The Musical
BENNY ANDERSSON | TIM RICE | BJORN ULVAEUS
By arrangement with Three Knights Limited, The Shubert Organisation Inc and Robert Fox Limited Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre presents
CHESS The Musical
BENNY ANDERSSON | TIM RICE | BJORN ULVAEUS
at the Liverpool Empire 13 – 14 August 2021
The Liverpool Empire Creative Learning team is proud to present the Youth Theatre’s production of Chess. A cast of young people from the local area, working with a professional creative team will star in a vibrant production of Chess. Following the success of their production of Rent in 2019, the Youth Theatre’s much anticipated return finally comes this week!
Senior Creative Learning Manager Natalie Flynn said, “Thanks to the generous support of the Liverpool Empire Theatre Trust and the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, we have continued to be connected to our young people during the past year. This has given them an opportunity to work creatively during this challenging period of time, combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation and providing a much needed sense of normality. The group have put in an incredible effort working on the project: first online, and now, finally, in person. We’re sure that this production will be very special when it’s performed this week on the Empire’s iconic stage, and such a reward for the young people after all the obstacles they’ve faced. Chess is a classic musical with music from ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice. We can’t wait to put our spin on it”
The Empire’s Youth Theatre company works under the guidance of industry professionals, which enables them to experience a professional environment, preparing them for the world of work within the theatre industry and many of those involved go on to pursue professional careers in performing arts. The company has been meeting regularly and working hard in preparation of the full scale musical, which plays at the Empire Theatre from 13th to 14th August 2021.
Natalie added, “Being a part of the Youth Theatre is a journey of pure passion and dedication. It’s a wonderfully supportive experience. The performers’ dedication and hard work is an inspiration to see, they genuinely love being a part of this
project and have truly become a company. These productions offer them the opportunity to put into practice everything they have already learned.”
Written by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn 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’, ‘Heaven Help my Heart’ and ‘Pity The Child’.
