CHESS

MICHAEL BALL and Tim Howar (pictured) star in this timely revival of the 1984 musical about russian and U.S. chess players in the Cold War, with music from Abba’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by Tim rice. Alexandra Burke and Cassidy Janson play their lovers, while Murray Head (from the original production) returns as The Arbiter.

PREVIEWING now, opens Tuesday, London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane WC2N 4ES (020 7845 9300/ chessthemusical.com).