Poster design and photography by Alex Rabina
The Wellington Footlights Society is ecstatic to announce our next show, Chess, to be performed at Te Auaha's brand new 200-seat theatre on Dixon Street.
Written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), the highly-acclaimed musical Chess is an epic story of love and intrigue, set amid a time of political tension between Russia and America.
Two of the world's greatest chess masters compete at the international chess championship: Freddie, the hot-headed American champion; and Anatoly, the earnest Russian challenger. While their governments and sponsors attempt to manipulate the tournament for their own political and profitable ends, their personal lives are thrown into chaos by the remarkable Florence, a Hungarian refugee who becomes the centre of their love triangle.
From Tyrol to Thailand, the players, lovers, politicians, CIA and KGB make their moves to the pulse of this monumental rock score, which includes the international hit singles ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night in Bangkok’, as well as other popular songs such as ‘Anthem’, ‘Someone Else's Story’, and more.
The Wellington Footlights Society is proud to present the biggest production of its four-year history. With a live band and a fully amplified cast of twenty performers at the brand new Tapere Nui theatre in Te Auaha, Chess will be an unforgettable night of musical theatre.
Chess
Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Laura Loach
Music directed by Michael Stebbings
7:30pm, 5-14 July 2018
Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street, Wellington
Tickets $25/$30 at www.ticketbooth.co.nz
BUY TICKETS NOW
Two of the world's greatest chess masters compete at the international chess championship: Freddie, the hot-headed American champion; and Anatoly, the earnest Russian challenger. While their governments and sponsors attempt to manipulate the tournament for their own political and profitable ends, their personal lives are thrown into chaos by the remarkable Florence, a Hungarian refugee who becomes the centre of their love triangle.
From Tyrol to Thailand, the players, lovers, politicians, CIA and KGB make their moves to the pulse of this monumental rock score, which includes the international hit singles ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night in Bangkok’, as well as other popular songs such as ‘Anthem’, ‘Someone Else's Story’, and more.
The Wellington Footlights Society is proud to present the biggest production of its four-year history. With a live band and a fully amplified cast of twenty performers at the brand new Tapere Nui theatre in Te Auaha, Chess will be an unforgettable night of musical theatre.
Chess
Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Laura Loach
Music directed by Michael Stebbings
7:30pm, 5-14 July 2018
Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street, Wellington
Tickets $25/$30 at www.ticketbooth.co.nz
BUY TICKETS NOW
Cast
Anatoly: Will Collin
Freddie: Kevin Orlando
Florence: Ellie Stewart
Svetlana: Kate Boyle
The Arbiter: Eugene Wolfin
Molokov: Karen Anslow
Walter: Mike Bryant
Ensemble: Abigail Helsby, Catherine Gavigan-Binnie, Chris McMillan, David Bowers-Mason, Ed Blunden, Henry Shum, Jack Clarke-Parker, Laura Gardner, Margaret Hill, Renee Iosefa Neil, Stacey O'Brien, Tania Dreaver, Vishan Appanna.
Freddie: Kevin Orlando
Florence: Ellie Stewart
Svetlana: Kate Boyle
The Arbiter: Eugene Wolfin
Molokov: Karen Anslow
Walter: Mike Bryant
Ensemble: Abigail Helsby, Catherine Gavigan-Binnie, Chris McMillan, David Bowers-Mason, Ed Blunden, Henry Shum, Jack Clarke-Parker, Laura Gardner, Margaret Hill, Renee Iosefa Neil, Stacey O'Brien, Tania Dreaver, Vishan Appanna.
Production Team
Director: Laura Loach
Music Director: Michael Stebbings
Choreographer: Nicole Rush
Stage Managers: Patrick Barnes & Natasha Thyne
Costume Designer: Ashleigh Dolling
Props Manager: Ruby Kemp
Lighting Designer: David Cathro
Lighting Assistant: Abigail Helsby
Sound Engineer/Designer: Patrick Barnes
Publicity/Marketing: Alex Rabina
Production Manager: Natasha Thyne
Music Director: Michael Stebbings
Choreographer: Nicole Rush
Stage Managers: Patrick Barnes & Natasha Thyne
Costume Designer: Ashleigh Dolling
Props Manager: Ruby Kemp
Lighting Designer: David Cathro
Lighting Assistant: Abigail Helsby
Sound Engineer/Designer: Patrick Barnes
Publicity/Marketing: Alex Rabina
Production Manager: Natasha Thyne
