“Nothing is so good it lasts eternally…”

Enniscorthy Musical Society (EMS), in association with Enniscorthy Credit Union, is thrilled to bring for the very first time to the Coláiste Bríde stage, the groundbreaking rock musical, Chess, The Musical! Written by Tim Rice and ABBA songwriters, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Chess tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

The ancient game of chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics, and international intrigue. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental score that includes “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart”, “‘I Know Him So Well’, ‘Anthem’, and ‘Pity The Child’. 

The cast, ensemble, production team and committee have been working hard at rehearsals to bring this mammoth show to life and have been enjoying preparations for the show thus far. The Production Team of Imelda McDonagh (Director), Kevin Kennedy (Musical Director) and James Dobbs (Choreographer) have been guiding the cast over the last few months and working to ensure this production is the best it can be. 

Featuring long standing EMS members, as well as some new faces, this year’s musical will showcase the very best the town and surrounding areas have to offer. With Colin Doran taking on the role of the Russian, Anatoly Sergievsky, Shane Kelly as the American, Freddie Trumper, and Michaela White as Hungarian-born Florence Vassey, this power house trio will have you on the edge of your seat and move you beyond the chessboard. Anthony Jones brings the manipulative Soviet patriot, Molokov, to life. Andy Fanning is the seemingly trustworthy but cunning and deceitful American, Walter de Courcey. Taking on the role of Svetlana Sergievsky, Anatoly’s estranged wife, is Thérèse Canavan Bolger. Finally, as the coldly objective, no-nonsense referee and president of the International Chess Federation is Erin Hogan. The ensemble brings another dimension to this story and have worked so hard to make it one that will stay with you as you make your move home.

The show will run from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th April, starting at 7.30pm nightly, in Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy. And this year, a brand new seating plan will transform Coláiste Bríde into a brand new theatre space with TIERED SEATING! Tickets can be purchased through the EMS social media and at https://ie.powertik.com/en/events/chess-the-musical/sessions/08-04-2026-19-30-riverside-park-hotel

Rated PG

This show is unlike anything you’ve seen from EMS in the last number of years. This is on another level. You don’t want to miss this one. Get your tickets and join us for the game of a lifetime.