Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – 29th September 2024 but touring other theatres
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
4****
This great show brought the wonderful Abba music and lyrics alive again. The International tribute to Abba were a five piece group, the group being the four and the drummer. The band were only introduced as the names of the original band Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid. The show was brought to life at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The first half of the production saw the audience clapping and tapping their feet to the music but the second half almost all of the audience were up dancing and joining in with the singing and thoroughly enjoying the show. What gave the show more atmosphere there was a large screen at the back with 1970’s patterns and some of the song titles appeared as the songs were sung. We also saw plenty of costume changes adding to the feel that you were transported back to the 1970’s.
We danced along to Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Knowing Me Knowing You, Money Money, Money, Mamma Mia were just a few of the hits that were sung in the 2 hours of the show.
Some of the audience came with their Abba outfits on and Benny who was telling a joke or two, said there was a prize for the best dressed in the audience, the dressed audience stood up in their outfits awaiting the prize, a drink at the bar – a glass of water! This brought a laughter or two and disappointment but a smile on the winner’s face.
Slight disappointment there was no merchandise or a programme – so we weren’t aware of who the tribute band truly were, though they had superbly got in the act that they were actually Abba and spoken with a Swedish accent, I can see why this successful show has been playing so long. I will definitely being going again when they are next in Aylesbury and getting out my flares or platform boots.