The Abba tribute musical Mamma Mia! will make its South Island premiere in Dunedin next year.
Forty years after the Swedish supergroup achieved global success with a string of hits, its songs will be performed live in the Regent Theatre.
''This has been a long time coming. We are delighted to have secured the rights to this multi-award-winning musical ahead of any other city in the South Island,'' co-producer Doug Kamo said yesterday. Auditions for the show will be held from November 1-5.
''We are looking for a cross-section of musical theatre and contemporary pop artists, as well as dancers, to bring the musical to life.''
Abba was one of the most successful groups in the world from 1974 to 1982, selling more than 370 million albums worldwide.
The original West End production of Mamma Mia! has been performed more than 5000 times in London, while an international tour has visited more than 74 cities. A 2008 feature film adaptation is the most successful movie musical ever, grossing more than $600 million internationally.
The musical features Abba hits, including Honey Honey, Money Money Money, Thank You For The Music, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper and Voulez-Vous. The musical is being co-produced by the Taieri Musical Society and directed by Mr Kamo, with musical direction by Stuart Walker and choreography by Emma Holloway.
Mamma Mia will open at the Regent Theatre on May 22 next year.
