MAMMA MIA

First we had The Girl with Golden Hair as seen in ABBA the Movie in 1977 , Next was the international Stage Musical CHESS in 1986 (co written by English Lyricist Tim-  Rice ) Then Kristina från Duvemåla a Swedish Musical and now MAMMA MIA the smash hit Musical  that's taking London's  West End by Storm is hailed as Their greatest achievement ever !


MAMMA MIA is not the story of  ABBA it is however the story of a Mother and Daughter on a holiday resort island, and the plot being a girl having invited three men to  her wedding all of whom could be her father.  The story of  MAMMA MIA was  put together by playwright writer Catherine Johnson who had won  awards for previous work. In a few weeks she had completed an outline for the story

At first Bjorn and Benny were- going to take a back seat as regards to the production of the Musical , but after reading the-synopsis Bjorn decided that he wanted to be more involved in the musical especially that it was going to contain over twenty-ABBA songs.

So in September 1998 auditions-for the main characters started-Siobhan Mc Cathy who played the part of Svetlana in the-original stage production of-CHESS got the part of Donna -the Mother. "I have always-loved ABBA and cried for joy-When I got the part"-Lisa Sotkke was to play Donna`s Daughter Sophie while Andrew -Langtree played the fiancée Sky-both were from graduates from the Liverpool institute of-performing arts well known for receiving support and funds from Sir Paul Mc Cartney
 

REHEARSALS STARTED ON 25 Th. January 1999 and over the next few months the show slowly came together Bjorn being present for almost all of the rehearsals as well attending many interviews because the opening of MAMMA MIA coincided with the 25th anniversary of ABBA Eurovision  win in 1974.

THE PREVIEW PERIOD STARTED ON 23rd March 1999 and it was obvious from the very first  performance that MAMMA MIA was going to be a big hit it was packed with more than twenty two songs to keep audiences happy.

THE PREMIER OF MAMMA MIA ON the 6th April 1999 was a sell out success, most reviews were very positive and theatregoers and Critics alike seemed to like the tongue in cheek way this musical was portrayed, with fantastic songs and stunning performances by the entire cast. Although Benny and Bjorn have become the much respected composing team for this musical, the commented that irrespective of who performs the Musical, they both recognise Agnetha`s and Frida`s input in to ABBA , unfortunately they were not able to attend the MAMMA MIA première but as Bjorn said "WITHOUT AGNETHA AND FRIDA NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED"

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