CHESS: The Making Of A Musical
William Hartston; introduction by Tim Rice
When CHESS opened to huge acclaim at London's Price Edward Theatre, it was the culmination of five years' work by lyricist Tim Rice and composers Bjorn Ulvaeus and Beny Andersson of ABBA. Here is the story of the making of the musical, from Rim Rice's first idea of a show based on the often bizarre world of championship chess, to the final frantic days leading up to the first night.
Written with the full participation of the principals, this book follows the chequered history of the show, with inside information on album recordings, the concert tour and rehearsals as well as the problems, both human and technical, which posed such a threat to the whole enterprise.
Complete with libretto of the main songs and numerous photographs of the production, this is a handsome pictorial record of a piece of theatre history.
First published UK 1986.
