IT’S BEEN almost 33 years since ABBA broke up but the world still can’t get enough of the Swedish pop sensations, in one form or another.
Stage productions, movies and tribute shows have all paid testament to the enduring popularity of the band’s hits, anthems and – let’s face it – the soap opera of the stars’ lives.
Australia welcomed Gold, the Ultimate ABBA Show last year for its New Arrival Tour, performing to sold-out houses and playing to more than 10,000 people across the country.
The show returns to Geelong in April with a new concert production celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1975 release of ABBA’s self-titled album.
Featuring the hits Mamma Mia, SOS, I Do, I Do, I Do and the ode to Australia, Bang a Boomerang, the release solidified the group’s standing internationally.
The opening track, Mamma Mia, was released as a stand-alone single in Australia because of the country’s adoration of the Swede superstar.
Their local popularity put such pressure on ABBA’s record label and management that eventually the track was lifted as a single in September 1975 – and rocketed straight to the top of the Australian singles charts where it remained for 10 weeks.
The album, of course, sold 11 times platinum.
The new tribute show features internationally recognised ABBA performers Kathleen Maloney, as Agnetha, and Kirsten Elliott, Anna-Frid, who both commanded attention and respect in their performances on last year’s tour.
The tour will present a chance to bring out Geelong’s dancing queens along with the flares and platform shoes in a two-hour concert production.
Gold, the Ultimate ABBA Show plays Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s Playhouse threatre on 18 April.
