Sunday 30th October 2016, what a fabulous end to the weekend, back in Cardiff for another performance of Mamma Mia. Today’s subject of conversation has to be the work of the shows writers. Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. Whose prolific talents pushed Abba to amazing heights. 

If I’m honest with myself, as a kid growing up, they were never my cup of tea, their music was overplayed, so got a bit monotonous. That all changed with two factors, firstly on hearing for the first time the album version of ‘Eagle’ which is one of my favourite songs of all time. Secondly buying the cd of the stage production of Mamma Mia, which totally changed my attitude to all Abba’s past collections. Now seeing the music turned into the musical in front of my eyes, I don’t know how I ever doubted them. 

Bjorn and Benny have a brilliant concept to turn their music, with a few rewritten lines, into a thouroughly amazing show. Making their songs and lyrics fit a certain pattern, to produce a show that actually works on so many levels. If you think about it, though, you can fit many songs into everyday life, but that’s where Bjorn and Benny’s brilliance comes into play. I can see why it’s run so long in the west end. I’m wondering just how many mothers have sang ‘Slipping through my fingers’ to their daughter on their wedding day, as they get ready. I know some mothers who have, and have mentioned just how emotional that has been. Or even broken up a relationship to ‘knowing me, knowing you’.

Having seen it so many times now, it amazes me just how many of these songs actually work in the whole show. It’s like Benny and Bjorn wrote every song all those years ago, knowing that they would be used in a magnificent stage show, somewhere down the line. A quick mention for the musical ‘Chess’ co written by these guys , which is another show I totally love and can’t wait to see a revival of that, if it ever comes this way. 

And so to today’s performance. As usual absolutely faultless, full of life and character, just so fantastic to watch. The whole cast were just awesome. As I’ve said throughout this run, want to see this show again and again, which at the moment I seem to be doing. Really can’t wait for more shows next weekend.