A CLASSIC smash hit musical from the 1980s, "Chess", is coming to the Evesham Arts Centre.

The Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society will return to the venue "with a tale of spies, intrigue, love and passion".

A spokesman said: "From Merano, Italy, to the seedy back streets of Bangkok, Chess – The Musical follows the fortunes of Soviet and American chess champions as they attempt to outmanoeuvre each other in all aspects of life.

"Set against the backdrop of a world gripped by the Cold War, each move draws them further into a web of intrigue, which ultimately manoeuvres each character into their own personal checkmate."

Greg Pearson, the director added: "It is such a powerful, energetic and entertaining show. It’s got it all – great music, secret spies, spurned lovers and quite possibly the best known duet of all time – who could ever forget Barbara Dickson and Elaine Paige singing, I Know Him So Well?”

Nathan Warren makes his EODS debut as the American champion, Freddie Trumper, while John Dix plays his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Sergievsky.

Amanda Golding and Alison Roberts take on the roles of Florence and Svetlana while Ken Knight pulls all of the strings as Soviet puppet-master, Molokov. Keeping them all in check is Polly-Emily Taylor as the impartial and unimpressed Arbiter.

With music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, and lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess embraces many musical genres as the story unfolds, moving from the light opera of Merano to the pure 80’s pop of One Night In Bangkok.

The show will run from November 15 to November 19, with all performances starting at 7.30pm.

All tickets are available from www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk or The Almonry TIC 01386 446944.