Chariots of Fire UK Stage Tour: Uncertain Status
In recent days, it has been observed that the production company Bill Kenwright Ltd has removed the "Chariots of Fire" UK tour page from its website, and the production is no longer referenced among its current or forthcoming projects.
In addition, several theatres that were previously listing performances have either suspended ticket sales or indicated that scheduled performances have been cancelled. Other venues, however, continue to list the production with tickets still available for sale.
No formal public statement has yet been issued by the production company regarding the status of the tour.
Given the above, the status of the 2026 UK tour presently appears uncertain. Fans are advised to check directly with individual venues before purchasing tickets, and to proceed with caution until official clarification is provided.
Chariots of Fire stage production to go on UK tour featuring music by Vangelis
Last November, Bill Kenwright Ltd announced that a new production of "Chariots of Fire", the stage adaptation by Mike Bartlett, will embark on its first UK national tour in autumn 2026, with Roxana Silbert directing the new production.
Based on the true story of British athletes Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams and inspired by the multi-Oscar and BAFTA award-winning film, "Chariots of Fire" brings to the stage a powerful account of conviction, ambition, and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.
The production features the iconic music of Vangelis, drawing on themes from the original film score, alongside additional music composed by Vangelis specifically for the stage adaptation, first created for the original 2012 theatrical production.
Currently, three venues are scheduled to present the production, with additional cities expected to be added.
- Theatre Royal Windsor, Windsor (3 - 12 September): theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/chariots-26
- King’s Theatre Edinburgh, Edinburgh (15 - 19 September): capitaltheatres.com/shows/chariots-of-fire
- The Rep, Burmingham (22 - 26 September): birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/chariots-of-fire
- Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (29 September - 3 October): yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/chariots-fire
- Darlington Hippodrome, Darlington (6 - 10 October): darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/Chariots-Of-Fire
1492 rereleases
We don't usually publish collectors news, but since we keep getting questions about this upcoming release, here are the details:
Warner UK Ltd. is about to release a new version of Vangelis' "1492 Conquest of Paradise" soundtrack album on CD. This version is labeled "Expanded edition" on a sticker and contains the normal album as we know it, with the two extra tracks found on the CD Maxi single as bonus tracks: "Line Open" and "Landscape". Packaging is the digi sleeve type that looks like a gatefold vinyl sleeve, but is wider oriented than the LP or old CD artwork. To make it fit, the design was cropped. Just to be extra clear: None of the unreleased music heard in the actual movie has been added. Release date is set for August 29. East West 5021732632982
At the same time, a new vinyl release of this album will become available, pressed on two yellow flame LPs. The LPs are housed in standard vinyl sleeve. The bonus tracks are not included on the vinyl version. East West 5021732529404
Report from the EPAL Agria tribute event on June 20
We are grateful to have received the following report from Greece about the tribute event held at EPAL Agria - Vangelis Papathanassiou, which took place on Friday, June 20, 2025 (see June 18 update). Originally scheduled for the school courtyard, it was moved indoors to a theater hall due to poor weather.
The program opened with a piano performance of "Chariots of Fire", interpreted in the arrangement created by Vangelis for his 2019 album "Nocturne", performed by renowned local pianist Ms. Anita Lefaki. Following this, the school's director, Dr. Vassa Paraskeva, gave a heartfelt speech recounting the school's renaming process and its proximity to Vangelis's childhood home.
A brief tribute speech followed by Mr. Vangelis Kalafatis, who spoke with warmth and emotion about the composer, after which a short tribute film by director Yannis Vamvakas was screened. Student Stella Zembila then recited an original poem dedicated to Vangelis, accompanied by Lefaki's piano rendition of "To the Unknown Man". This was followed by a video montage featuring student artwork by Maria Roze and family photographs contributed by Eleni Papathanassiou, all set to Vangelis's music.
Several additional works by Vangelis were presented in piano adaptations, including "Love Theme" from Blade Runner, "La Petite Fille de la Mer", "Movement 9" from Mythodea, and "Habanera", the latter performed by Sylvia Tsimbanakou and Eva Daska. A reflective reading titled The Music and the Universe was also shared, an original text by Andreas Mimaios inspired by Vangelis's philosophical reflections in the "Juno to Jupiter" album booklet.
A video message from Vangelis's longtime friend, Loudovikos of Anogeia, was included as well, offering personal memories and on engaging dialogue with students.
The evening concluded with two orchestral performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Volos: "Across the Mountains", transcribed by Bernhard Wuthrich, and "Voices", transcribed by Ron Sebregts, and both conducted by Mr. Andreas Mimaios. The final piece was a grand performance of "Conquest of Paradise", blending orchestral and electronic elements with vocal samples recorded at the Odeon of Volos, again conducted by Mr. Andreas Mimaios.
The evening closed with expressions of gratitude and a small reception for those in attendance.
Special thanks to our sources in Greece for their kind contribution!
EPAL Agria School hosts a tribute to Vangelis on June 20
A square in Agria, the hometown of Vangelis Papathanassiou near Volos, Greece, has recently been renamed in his honor. The initiative came from the municipal community of Agios Lavrentios, proposing that the square located in Soutrali, Agria, on Heroon Polytechneiou Street, be named "Vangelis Papathanassiou Square." The location can be viewed on Google Maps.
This dedication joins two other public tributes in the region: Municipal Theatre of Volos "Vangelis Papathanassiou", and the Agria Vocational High School Vangelis Papathanassiou (EPAL Agria).
On Friday, 20 June 2025, EPAL Agria will host a special evening event to formally celebrate its renaming to "EPAL Agria - Vangelis Papathanassiou." While it will be a local ceremony, the organizers have worked to make it as meaningful as possible. Music by Vangelis will be performed by local artists, and speeches will be given about the life and legacy of this great man, who was born in this small coastal town. In addition, student paintings inspired by Vangelis will be displayed, accompanied by his music.
- Greek news article with details on the event on June 20: magnesianews.gr/magnisia/to-epal-agrias...
- Honoring square to Vangelis: taxydromos.gr/magnesia/volos/1202336...
- More info on the event at school's website: epal-agrias.mag.sch.gr/anakoinoseis
Some words by Laura Metaxa on May 17
3 YEARS
When fate decides the deliverance of the soul from the body, we consider this day as "significant"; there is the day of birth and the day of "death". For me, as far as Vangelis is concerned, there is no day of death. Or, more simply put, Vangelis lives on through his creations, his music, his heartfelt laughter, his voice, his ideals, his beliefs, his intense emotional world. He was not only a composer but a human being in constant and multi faceted creativity. He did not consider himself to be an artist in the strict sense conceived by Plato, but rather a scientist; a true scientist as far as sound, vibrations are concerned. It is very clear from his music that he brought order to chaos and turned it into harmony. All the receptiveness he gained from considering the world of the non-existent ("Μη Ον" in Greek) contributed to his exceptional spirit and made him who he was. He used to say that thanks to music he gained knowledge and wisdom way beyond the norm. I suppose this is what being ahead of one's times must feel like! This entire spiritual journey is now part of my own existence. Thus, in my own humble way, I still refuse to acknowledge that time has passed since Vangelis' death, and I say to myself he has just gone far away, to a very different land with which communication is always blurry; I feel that if we listen close enough we can still hear his voice and gain access to his unique world.
These past weeks have coincided with the passing of my father. It was a different loss for me; on the one hand losing my father, who gave me life and the ability to appreciate values in life, and on the other Vangelis who gave me all the love one could possibly want in order to grow well into this life. I confess that even though these two were totally different, when they met they each put his stamp on the other. I recall very clearly that the 1997 IAAF World Championship in Athletics, where Vangelis created the magical opening ceremony, was given to Athens thanks to my father who, as Athletics Ambassador appointed by the Prime Minister two years previously, managed to secure this major event for our city, with all the diplomatic manoeuvring and genuine charisma he'd always had. This opening ceremony that Vangelis was very proud of paved the way for another two magnificent, quite unforgettable events, the Mythodea Concert at the temple of Zeus in 2001 and the Qatar Concert for the alliance of civilizations in 2011. Vangelis cherished every moment of these, and their entire set up was the distillation of his philosophy and vision; it was vision and sound blended together. He was no longer just the composer; his entire mind and soul went into the very concept of all of these concerts. This was the gift he gave us, a gift that will last way beyond each of them. Going back to his creations we can still grasp at least some part of the marvel that was his creative genius; he was always fully aware of the fact that all the poetic and lyrical qualities of his work went hand-in-hand with an entire mystical symbolic order of things. This he wanted to communicate to the world, with humility and moral poise.
- Laura Metaxa
"Music, our inner data, is at the same time our best friend. And the DNA of our soul."
- Vangelis
Read earlier news updates in the archive pages (see below and on top of this page).
