WKLOS performing Chess at the Floral Pavilion Theatre

Jun 3 2009

WEST Kirby Light Opera Society is bringing the smash hit musical Chess to the Floral Pavilion next week.

The society is no stranger to the show, having won the accolade of NODA Best Musical for its production of Chess in 2000.

Chess, the concept album from the pens of Abba’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus – together with legendary lyricist Tim Rice, celebrates its quarter century this year.

And WKLOS is putting on its version of the show – which features a cast of 55 with a further 35 dancers – with the blessing of one of its creators.

In 2005 Sir Tim Rice called in to support members in the run-up to their production of Titanic the Musical in Liverpool.

On a recent visit to the US, he pre-recorded a video message, congratulating WKLOS on its previous success and wishing the society well with Chess.

Sir Tim has even invited members to perform at a private function he is attending in Wirral next month.

The society’s Michael Kennedy told Liveguide: “It’s a very ambitious production which is why it isn’t often done.

“It’s very demanding from a vocal point of view and it’s taken a lot of time to get this right, but from the way our rehearsals are going, it’s going to be pretty spectacular.“We decided this was the year to do it again because of the anniversary – and also because of the success of the film version of Mamma Mia! It seemed just the right time to do a musical written by the musicians from Abba.”