Chess The Musical - Nottingham Theatre Royal — Nottingham Operatic Society

Chess The Musical arrives at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham October 2026, in a new reimagined production.

Nominated for multiple Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier awards, Chess won two Best Musical awards in 1986 and the Ivor Novello Award for “I Know Him So Well”. Originally launched as a concept album by Sir Tim Rice, with music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA, the first production ran for three years in the West End in 1986, and has continued to be staged all over the world.

Set against the gripping backdrop of American and Russian political rivalry, this powerful love story is brought to life through a dazzling score featuring “One Night in Bangkok”, “Anthem”, “Heaven Help My Heart” and “I Know Him So Well”.

Ollie Last, who was a soloist at the Royal Variety Performance 2025, Les Misérables 40th Anniversary Performance, will play the role of Frederick Trumper, with Lucy Haigh as Florence Vassy, Kirt Hammonds takes the role of Anatoly Sergievsky with Simon Theobald as Alexander Molokov. The principal cast is completed by Daniel Bogod as Walter de Courcey; Chris Heeley as Arbiter and Cat Perry as Svetlana Sergievskaya.

Justine Lee returns to Nottingham Operatic Society for a fourth year as Director /Choreographer, with Jonah Williams making his debut with the company as Musical Director.

Chess will run at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from Wed 28 Oct - Sat 31 Oct 2026. Tickets are now on sale via the Theatre Royal Box Office at trch.co.uk or by calling 0115 989 5555.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

With Music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Lyrics by Time Rice.

Note to Editors:
Since it was founded in 1893 as one of the Nottingham Mechanics Institution’s social groups, Nottingham Operatic Society has performed over 135 shows and concerts in all of the City’s famous venues. Since 1925, its spiritual home has been Nottingham’s Theatre Royal. NOS has been a registered charity since 1958.

Recent Productions

‘Les Misérables: Let The People Sing!’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ - 2025

Guys & Dolls - 2024

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - 2023

For further information on Nottingham Operatic Society and its production of ‘Chess The Musical’ please contact NOS Chair Simon Theobald at simon@nottinghamoperatic.com or call 07848373560. We are happy to supply photos or to help you arrange radio/television/newspaper interviews.