ABBA MANIA
Shaftesbury Theatre
21st May to 6th June 2021
“Nearly 50 years after ABBA stormed Eurovision with Waterloo, Eurovision star Rhiannon Porter (Finalist, Eurovision: You Decide 2018), renowned performer JoJo Desmond (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake), West End regular Edward Handoll (BIG The Musical), and distinguished performer Loucas Hajiantoni (One Night of Tina) will step into the platform heels of one of the most famous pop supergroups of all time in ABBA MANIA. This incredible ensemble will take to the spotlight at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 21st May, marking the production’s West End return after 19 years.
Packed full of classic hits and bursting with nostalgia, ABBA MANIA brings to life ABBA’s last ever concert in an exhilarating production. Featuring the Swedish supergroup’s irresistible music, fantastic costumes and electrifying staging, this concert is perfect for life-long ABBA fans and newcomers alike.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
With on your feet, toe-tapping, arms in the air hits from start to finish, this is a girl’s night out. And bring the fellas cos they’ll love it too!!!
It’s everything you’d hope it would be. Cheesy choreography which everyone can follow, a large video wall (of dubious content), a Set Design of triangular shapes for no obvious reason, and of course: LED Tape to outline the edges. And the best time you could ever have in Central London all held together by a fabulous cast who really knew how to engage with the audience.
The group of four were highly polished and in unison with everything in the 1st half of the show. Great singing and harmonies. The Sound was perfect and not over-bearing. The lighting avoided the use of followspots so full credit to the performers for hitting most of their marks.
It did look like they forgot to turn on the breaker for one of the many overhead line of lights. These were the only things in the theatre that didn’t move during the fast-paced wonderfully put together concert. The audience were on their feet for many numbers and really having the best time of their lives!
A very short run in London before going on tour.
Full details on the Production website: https://www.abbamania.com/
Photo Credit: Mark Senior
Agnetha Fältskog – Rhiannon Porter
Anni-Frid Lyngstad – JoJo Desmond
Björn Ulvaeus – Edward Handoll
Benny Andersson and Musical Director – Loucas Hajiantoni
Lead Guitar – Anders Rye
Drums – Paul Gregory
Bass Guitar – Dan Hall
Producers – Todd Littlewood (TAL Entertainment), Guy Chapman, Handshake Ltd
Director and Choreographer – Tamsin Stewart
Musical Supervisor – Duncan Walsh Atkins
Resident Director – Miranda Wilford
Production – Nick Boult for Artisan Productions
Sound Supervisor – James Gouge
Costume Maker – Paul Aspinall