- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: STAGE SHOW 'MAMA MIA' OPENS AT PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE
- Date: 7th April 1999
- Summary: PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 6, 1999) (REUTERS) STEPS ARRIVING TO ABBA PREMIERE EXTERIOR SHOTS OF THEATRE CROWDS JOSTLING
- Embargoed: 22nd April 1999 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVADGHPLZDVL8RQVCD4C3P008E2N
- Story Text: Fans of the Swedish Seventies Supergroup 'Abba', thought the 'Super troupers' had met their 'Waterloo'.But last night (Tuesday April 6) in London's West End, Abba mania struck again at the Prince Edward theatre, prompting what could be yet another revival as "Mamma Mia" the musical opened its doors for the first time.
On April sixth, a quarter of a century ago, Abba stepped onto the stage wearing silver platform boots, swathed in shiny polyester and blasting out the chords of 'Waterloo'.
The night they won the Eurovision song contest at the Brighton dome in the south of England, they took the world by storm.
Now 25 years later the hit pop group Steps, that sings the Swedish group's Seventies hits with a Nineties tilt, stepped out in white lycra and platform heels to attend a premiere that features some of Abba's biggest hits.
Abba has lost none of its appeal, and still never fails to get young and old up on the dance floor.Last night (Tuesday April 6) a throng of fans came to catch a glimpse of the stars turning up for the first night of a new West End musical, "Mamma Mia".
Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus co-writers of the songs and the two girls Agnetha, married to Bjorn and Anni-Fryd or Frida, married to Benny, spelt out Abba.
In the 1980s the group and their marriages split, but now 17 years since their demise, fans still hold out for a reunion.
Although it looks unlikely that the band will get back together, the musical "Mamma Mia" is doing its best to fill the hole that has been left by the break-up.Benny and Bjorn who earlier worked together on Tim Rice's musical Chess, have collaborated on another brand new musical, 'Mamma Mia'.
The idea was that the musical worked in it's own right, rather than just have a vehicle for Abba's songs.Members' of the cast say that audiences have gone to previews of the musical expecting a life story of the band.Instead 'Mamma Mia' is a new play by the award-winning playwright Catherine Johnson, that uses the group's songs.
The story is based on a relationship between a mother, 'Donna' played by Siobhan McCarthy and her daughter, 'Sophie' ingenue Lisa Stokke.Sophie is getting married and wants to find out who her father is so she can invite him to her wedding.She narrows it down to three and unbeknownst to her mother invites them all to the wedding.
The audience was singing along to the 25 Abba songs included in the production.The fans loved it, the critics loved it and all round it seemed to be a resounding success.
Sadly only Bjorn and Benny made it to the launch party, although they remain in touch with Frida and Agnetha.
Frida had some success singing but now, married to a German Prince, is an ardent environmental activist.Agnetha, married several times, had brief fame with an acting and solo career in Sweden, but now lives as a recluse on an island 30 miles from Stockholm.
It may not have been Abba singing last night, but it was the next best thing.All fans were saying was "Thank you for the music...thank you for the musical." And as for the group, the musical could mean the start of yet another revival for the super troupers..."Mamma Mia.Here we go again. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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