Irving Stage Company to perform Chess at Theatre Royal

Bury St Edmunds-based Irving Stage Company is launching its 60th anniversary year with its production of the blockbuster musical Chess.

The production, which runs at the Theatre Royal from March 12 to 16, features music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba, with lyrics by Tim Rice.

It tells a story of romance and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Cold War, with two competing chess Grand Masters – one a Soviet and the other an American – and the woman who loves them both.

Chess includes hit songs including “I Know Him So Well”, “Anthem” and “One Night in Bangkok”.

The 35-strong company of local performers is directed and choreographed by Sian Couture with additional choreography by Glen Conner, who also plays the maverick chess-playing American, while Nicola Brazier is musical director.

Irving Stage Company was founded in 1959 and is celebrating its diamond anniversary in the same year the Theatre Royal marks its 200th anniversary.

Later in 2019, the company will present a fundraising Cabaret Supper on June 29 before returning to the Theatre Royal with its production of My Fair Lady in the autumn.

For more information, go to www.irvingstagecompany.co.uk

Book Chess tickets on 01284 769505 or at www.theatreroyal.org

Performances are at 7.30pm daily, with a 2.30pm matinée on March 16.

Chess is an amateur production of Chess (UK version) by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Pictured above from left are Glen Conner (Frederick); Tim Freathy (Walter); Alec Taylor (Molokov), Ben Child (Anatoly); Ben Young (The Arbiter); Anna Damigella (Florence) and Anna Sutton (Svetlana).

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