In the world of musical theatre, an all-singing, all-dancing, colorfully dressed cast, joined by three glam ladies in neon jumpsuits and silver platform boots, can only mean one thing – the presence of the cast of Mamma Mia. As many of our Music Man readers are sure to agree, the music of ABBA is guaranteed to get people up on their feet and boogieing. However, the energy the Mamma Mia cast brought to their 2024 Britain’s Got Talent appearance was on another level.
As the cast worked their way through an energetic performance of a medley of songs from the show, including hits like Dancing Queen, Waterloo, and, of course, Mamma Mia, they had the entire theatre up on their feet and dancing, including the panel of judges at the front. The video of the performance has received 2.5M views, and clearly, the energy of the cast is infectious even through the screen, as one viewer admitted in the comments, “I was singing along and dancing.”
Despite being born over 20 years after ABBA formed, my life has also been full of dancing and singing along to their music, helped partially, I believe, by the release of the “Mamma Mia” film in 2008. I remember when it was released, and the music was absolutely everywhere in a true 21st-century ABBA resurgence. It feels really heartwarming to see ABBA’s music performed by this cast still having such a joyous impact on people in 2024, just going to prove the timelessness of the music.
It’s easy to imagine that, with its jukebox musical mass appeal, Mamma Mia is a musical aimed mainly at the general public. However, it is clearly a hit with the musical theatre fanatics too, if the crowd reaction to the cast’s appearance at West End Live 2024 is anything to go by. This event showcases performances from shows in the West End, attracting theatre fans in droves. From the cheers heard from the audience, Mamma Mia is clearly a hit with everyone, from pop fans to musical devotees.
No matter whether you’re an OG ABBA fan or a musical theatre lover, it’s sure to be clear to any of our Music Man readers that the reason why Mamma Mia and ABBA’s music overall remain such a hit with audiences is that they encapsulate pure fun. Offering the chance to let loose and bust out your best 70s style disco moves, it is undeniable that the joy offered by this now legendary music will continue to bring people together for a party for a long time to come.