September - December 2025

Det Ny Teater, Copenhagen

Who can you trust when everything is at stake?

The audience can experience a magnificent production of CHESS with more than 50 participating singers, actors, dancers, musicians and with Xenia Lach-Nielsen back in her successful leading role as Florence.

REVIEWS

Mikkel Rønnow conducts Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson’s sophisticated music absolutely superbly in the orchestra pit. Rarely has the orchestra of Det Ny Teater sounded as good as it does here, with every musical entry landing exactly where it should. A joy to listen to.
Berlingske Tidende
The ensemble numbers are a visual treat, and the costuming is sharp. The humorous moments are timed and arranged like champagne sorbet between courses at a Michelin restaurant, and the dancing is full of passion and enthusiasm.
Politiken
A production that unites music, theatre, dance, and stagecraft at the highest level – and with its message of love, power, and humanity, stands as one of the most beautiful moments in modern Danish theatre.
Yde News
At Det Ny Teater, the production reaches new heights. The entire cast sings exceptionally well, and the orchestra plays like a dream under Mikkel Rønnow’s musical direction. (…) In a time when the Danish musical theatre scene mainly consists of jukebox musicals with thin plots, large Disney productions without live music, or dance shows with far too many untested talents, it feels like a most welcome experience to witness a production where everything works and where quality is given top priority.
Set på scenen
Conductor Mikkel Rønnow, who through Mikkel Rønnow Musicals and in collaboration with Det Ny Teater produces the show, succeeds better than anyone in making the music truly come alive – with excellent support from Denmark’s largest musical theatre orchestra.
CPH Culture
The best Chess I’ve seen, as this version is witty, haunting, musically outstanding, and visually beautiful and rich.
Kulturkupeen
Grand music, political drama, and emotional depth.
Teateranmeldelser.dk
With a sublime musical delivery, Mikkel Rønnow’s extraordinarily accomplished orchestra truly gives the fabulous score wings. Open your ears and be seduced.
Det sku du se
This is brilliant, magnificent, enchanting, and of the highest class. This is how Chess should be performed. With an outstanding sound and an exceptionally fine orchestra, Mikkel Rønnow’s musical direction is an experience beyond the ordinary. One could not wish for anything better. They perform Björn and Benny’s music as well as it can possibly be done. The sound is clear and powerful. It almost feels as if you’re listening to the original album. This truly allows you to lose yourself in the performance.
Månssons Kultur
From the very first note, we were blown away by the musical level of Chess at Det Ny Teater. The leads delivered performances that instantly gave us goosebumps, and the ensemble was nothing short of outstanding. Brilliant vocal performances, iconic music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and a 17-piece orchestra conducted by Mikkel Rønnow in the pit. Wow – what a pleasure – it simply doesn’t get much better than this!
Dig og mig og musicals
A sweeping, magnificent production about a time that once was – and has now returned.
Danmarksbloggen
Beyond the power struggle, the love drama, and the political game, you also get the coolest harmonies and sounds from the orchestra pit, performed live with Mikkel Rønnow leading the 17-member orchestra at Det Ny Teater. What’s not to like?
Sceneblog
Supported by a musically exceptional arrangement from the evening’s 17-piece orchestra under the direction of Mikkel Rønnow, the music in CHESS THE MUSICAL is a beautiful auditory and classical experience, as if we were in a Puccini opera.
Kulturinformation
Both the melody and the lyrics are at once moving and touching. So is Anatoly and Florence’s farewell duet — and if you don’t get tears in your eyes during this declaration of love, you don’t have a romantic bone in your body.
Kulturtid
Furiously impressive and musically captivating. In a world of black chess squares, the soloists and the superb ensemble carry the story with razor-sharp precision and a strong focus on tone and dramatic depth in both vocals and character.
Iscene
All the leading roles are masterfully cast with powerful voices and outstanding acting. Mikkel Rønnow and the large orchestra wrap it all in musical magnificence.
KOP Kultur
Visually beautiful, musically overwhelming, and emotionally captivating.
Teaterpigerne
Magnificent music, magnificent vocal performances, and magnificent acting performances.
Teaterbussen
A sublime musical experience.
Ungt Teaterblod
Mikkel Rønnow arranges the music for Chess in a way that makes it feel like experiencing the musical for the very first time.
Veckotidningen
Powerful, well-performed, and visually impressive musical.

Vi elsker serier
When everyone, including the ensemble, joins in singing — whether in chorus or rich harmonies, which the production makes frequent use of — you truly get goosebumps. It rarely gets better than this on Danish soil, or indeed anywhere internationally these days.
Kulturbunkeren
Chess at Det Ny Teater, with Mikkel Rønnow as conductor, is a musically sublime experience.
Morten Hede
A thoroughly impressive, visually fascinating musical.

Morten Buckhøj
CHESS at Det Ny Teater is a musical that strikes both the heart and the mind. With unforgettable songs, powerful performances, and an aesthetic that matches the epic drama, this production manages to feel both classic and highly contemporary.
Out and about

MEDIA

GALLERY

Cast

Thomas Høj Falkenberg
Anatoly Sergievsky
Xenia Lach-Nielsen
Florence Vassy
Anders Gjesing
Frederick Trumper
Søren Bech-Madsen
Molokov
Frederikke Vedel
Svetlana
Simon Nøiers
Arbiter
Jon Lange
Walter

ENSEMBLE

Christine Ramlow Toft
Josephine Due Feit
Katrine Skovbo
Kirstine Emilie Moses-Jacobsen
Marie Gersholm Baktoft
Mille Lambert
Susan Torres Engelin
Vibeke Zederkof
Christian Haagen Birkvang
Frederik Espenhain
Jacob Prüser
James Leece
Jens Kau Wahlers Nielsen
Johan Klitgård
Lasse Dyg
Markus Emil Borg
Mikkel Emil Lynge

ENSEMBLE

SONGS

ACT ONE

The Story of Chess
Arbiter, Ensemble
Merano
Citizens of Merano, the mayor, Frederick
Commie Newspapers
Florence, Frederick
Press Conference
Florence, reporters
Anatoly and Molokov
Anatoly Molokov
Where I Want to Be
Anatoly
Diplomats
Walter, Molokov, American and Russian diplomats
The Arbiter
The Arbiter
Hymn to chess
Ensemble
Merchandisers
Ensemble
Chess #1
Orchestra
Quartet
Molokov, Florence, Arbiter, Anatoly
Florence, Molokov
Florence, Molokov, Walter, Frederick
1956 - Budapest is rising
Frederick, Florence
Nobody's Side
Florence
Der Kleine Franz
Citizens of Merano
Mountain Duet
Anatoly, Florence, Frederick
Chess #2
Orchestra
Florence Quits
Frederick, Florence
Pity the Child
Frederick
Embassy Lament
Russian diplomats
Anatoly and the Press
Anatoly, reporters
Mit hjertes land (Anthem)
Anatoly

ACT TWO

Golden Bangkok
Orchestra
One Night in Bangkok
Frederick
Endnu en modstander (One More Opponent)
Anatoly, Florence
Heaven Help my Heart
Florence
Soviet Machine
Molokov, Russian diplomats
Interview
Walter, Frederick, Anatoly
Someone Else's Story
Svetlana
Argument
Florence, Anatoly
I Know Him So Well
Florence, Svetlana
The Deal
All main characters
Talking Chess
Anatoly, Frederick
End Game
Company
You and I
Anatoly, Florence
Finale
Florence, Walter

ORCHESTRA

Flute / PiccoloNicolai Schultz
Oboe / Cor AnglaisElisabeth Gibbs
Clarinet / Bass Clarinet / Baritone SaxophoneBo Skjold Christensen
BassoonAnrijs Ivanovskis
HornHenriette Holk
Trumpet / FlügelhornJens Gotholdt
TromboneIan Price
Keyboard I / Grand PianoJesper Frank Christensen
Keyboard IIMads Granum
Keyboard III / AccordionFrancesco Calí
GuitarsJens Kokholm
DrumsTimothy Lutte
PercussionMathias Reumert
Violin I (concertmaster)Piotr Gasior
Violin IIKaroliina Koivisto
CelloIda Nørholm
BassHenrik Simonsen

CREATIVE TEAM

Music
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics
Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus
Book
Tim Rice
Orchestrations
Anders Eljas
Translation
Jesper Malmose
Additional translations
Xenia Lach-Nielsen and Stig Rossen
Director
Markus Virta
Choreographer
Heather Douglas
Musical director
Mikkel Rønnow
Set and Costume Design
Peter McKintosh
Lighting design
Tim Deiling
Sound design
Magnus Hansen
Photo
Camilla Winther
Produced by
Det Ny Teater and Mikkel Rønnow Musicals
In collaboration with
TOCA Records

SHOP

Music

Chess 2012 Cast Recording

English-language cast album from Aarhus Theater
150,00 kr.
Music

Chess 2018 Danish Cast Highlights

16 songs in Danish from the 2018 production
150,00 kr.
Merchandise

Chess Pin

Beautiful and stylish pin
10,00 kr.
OPTIONS
Merchandise

Chess Tote Bag

Black tote bag with white logo
60,00 kr.

DELIVERY COSTS