Natalie Bassingthwaighte to lead cast in Chess – The Musical as Adelaide dates announced for national tour

Former Rogue Traders singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte will force a checkmate when she returns to the stage for an Adelaide season of Chess – The Musical.

It will be a “knight” to remember when Natalie Bassingthwaighte makes her move in Chess – The Musical for four performances only at Her Majesty’s Theatre in May.

The black-and-white themed concert production features songs by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Tim Rice, including the 1984 hits One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well.

“I remember listening to this album when I was a kid, with my best friend, and we would sing I Know Him So Well,” said Bassingthwaighte, who will play one of the lead characters, Florence Vassy.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte, centre, with 2021 Australian cast of Chess – The Musical. Supplied by StoreyBoard Entertainment

Joining Nat Bass on stage on will be pop star Paulini, Australian Idol finalist Rob Mills, The Voice semi-finalist Mark Furze, opera singers Eddie Muliaumaseali’i and Alexander Lewis, and musical theatre performer Brittanie Shipway.

Chess premiered in London’s West End in 1986 and opened in Sydney in 1990, but that production didn’t tour to other states.

“The score is so beautiful, so I think it’s exciting to be able to present that in a concert version with such an amazing cast and orchestra,” Bassingthwaighte said.

“It’s going to be on a whole other level.”

Natalie Bassingthwaighte in Chess – The Musical. Picture: StoreyBoard Entertainment

Natalie Bassingthwaighte will star in Chess – The Musical. Picture: StoreyBoard Entertainment

The musical explores Cold War tensions between the US and Soviet Union, with a lead character loosely based on American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer.

“But it’s really the story of a love triangle,” Bassingthwaighte said.

“With (Netflix series) The Queen’s Gambit and such a big focus on chess at the moment, it feels quite poignant – politically as well.”

The Adelaide season joins dates already announced for Chess in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Chess, Her Majesty’s Theatre, May 27-29. Book at BASS.