THE ABBA SHOW
Theatre Royal, 78 Rutherford Street, Nelson
14/03/2012 - 15/03/2012
Production Details
Showtime Australia is proud to announce the return of The ABBA Show. Hot off the heels of a sold out season in Johannesburg,South Africa, The ABBA Show returns to New Zealand as the next stop on the 2012 revival world tour.
With a discography spanning eight albums, 42 singles and an unrivaled industry longevity that has captured half a century of global fans, ABBA has become a modern musical marvel that’s influence seems to be unstoppable.
The ABBA Show is a stunning musical biography that captures the essence of the Swedish pop phenomenon with flawless musicianship and breathtaking theatricality. With over 3000 international performances in 23 countries, 2011 sees the return of The ABBA Show to stages across the world.
Performed by internationally acclaimed impersonators ABBAsolutely FABBAulous, The ABBA Show invites you on a musical journey into the magic, talent and history that is the legacy of ABBA. The ABBA Show delivers a level of production never before seen in the world of ABBA to date.
Step in and enjoy the live experience of the never before witnessed musical event that will leave you saying “Thank You For The Music”.
Featuring an internationally selected live band with the cast of ABBAsolutely FABBAulous and produced by world renowned Showtime Management, critics are calling it “the must see show of the year!” You’ve seen the movie, you may have been lucky enough to see the musical, but nothing compares to the concert experience that is The ABBA Show.
Critics around the world give their praise to The ABBA Show:
“This Show pulls out all the stops. Showtime has always presented shows that are precisely like an actual live performance of our favorite band; they want you to feel like you are watching the actual Abba perform. And the best part is that you do.” – Biz Community -South Africa
“I have never seen an audience react to a show like this one. The whole theatre was dancing all night.” – Q Magazine
“ABBAsolutely brilliant!” -Christchurch Star,New Zealand
“This show is a time warp of fun.” – Courier Mail,Australia
“The cast truly embodies the essence of ABBA and every detail that make us still love them years and years later…Take a trip down memory lane, jump in your favorite jumpsuit, get your hair done and go and enjoy The Abba Show. A must see!” – Duan Wanty – Industry News –South Africa
Theatre Royal, Nelson
14th and 15th March 8pm
Tickets not including service fees
Adults $49
Children (12 and under) $25
Tickets available from the Theatre Royal Box Office
78 Rutherford Street Nelson
03 548 3840
or Ticket Direct – 0800 224 224 (toll free)
Cast:
Giles Tingey – Benny
Gemma Donnelly – Agnetha
Giselle Bouwer – Frida
Tony Cowel – Bjorn
Musicians:
George Blackley
Richie Baker
Dale Scheepers
Lighting Designer - Jon Van Grinsven Jnr
Popular demand satisfied once sound is sorted
Review by Gail Tresidder 15th Mar 2012
A full house – the majority baby boomers plus, some dressed the part with fetchingly tied head scarves, loud floral prints, flared trousers and floaty tunics, many of them waving light sticks – give the band and singers of The ABBA Show a vociferous welcome to Nelson. The audience is psyched up for a good old-fashioned singing, dancing night out.
The set, dominated by huge portraits of the original ABBA quartet, is very 1970s, as are the costumes and lighting – excellent work by Lighting Designer Jon Van Grinsven Jr.
At the start, problems with over amplification of bass and drums make it difficult for the singers, particularly Gemma Donnelly who plays Agnetha. It is hard to hear the lyrics and just lucky that everyone knows them anyway. The sound imbalance is sorted by the second half of the programme, the band and singers, including Donnelly, get in to the groove and the roof of the recently rebuilt Theatre Royal is tested satisfactorily.
There is a lot of audience participation in this show. Giselle Bouwer confidently ventures in to the stalls, hugging someone here, teasing someone there, and manages to spirit up just the right ‘Man after Midnight’ for some stage frolics that charm everyone.
From Johannesburg, Bouwer has a powerful voice and is a convincing Freida. Tony Cowel as Bjorn looks stunning, especially in his glittering gold and scarlet outfit, and he plays excellent guitar while Giles Tingey, as Benny, complete with revolving piano, stays in character, sings strongly and is convincing throughout.
Backing musicians Dale Scheepers, saxophone and keyboard, Richie Baker, bass and David Gray on drums play smoothly together.
This is the first night of their New Zealand tour. After a second night in Nelson, the result of popular demand, the crew and musicians of The ABBA Show move on to Oamaru, then travel south to Invercargill. Their rigorous tour schedule ends in Whanganui on March 24, giving as many people as possible the opportunity to recapture their youth – and memories of one of the most original bands of the 70’s.
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