IT will be a case of digging out the flares, dusting off the old dancing shoes and getting ready to relive the 1970s when the Ultimate ABBA Show hits town later this year.
Featuring internationally recognised ABBA performers, the two-hour show relives many of the hits of the Swedish pop phenomenon.
The 1970s will go down in history as the most creative and outrageous era in the history of post-’50s rock ‘n’ roll. The massive acts that churned out hits ranged from Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, to name but a few.
Swedish group ABBA won the Eurovision song contest in 1974 and a meteoric rise to fame followed.
In Australia, the group’s success was unprecedented, accumulating more than 20 top 20 singles, six of which topped the charts including I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do; S.O.S.; Mamma Mia; Fernando; Dancing Queen; and Money, Money, Money.
The singers recreating the magic in the Ultimate ABBA Show are:
* Kathleen Maloney (Agnetha). Blending sass and her pure soaring vocals, Kathleen has been a popular choice for appreciative audiences across the globe, having performed the role of ABBA’s Agnetha many times.
* Kirsten Elliott (Anna-Frid) has been performing professionally for over a decade in numerous theatrical and television productions working alongside some big industry names such as Rhonda Burchmore and John Travolta.
* Matt Hellak (Bjorn/guitar) started playing the guitar at the age of seven and has followed his love for music ever since. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree with first-class honours from Adelaide University, Matt has become a regular throughout the Adelaide music scene, working as a freelance musician for corporate bands, duos, jazz groups. Theatre work includes productions of Les Miserables, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar. As well as performing, Matt currently holds several teaching positions in Adelaide.
* Greg Wain (Benny/keys) studied music at Auckland University and London’s Trinity College. Greg spent 15 years working as a singer, guitarist, and keyboard player in London recording and touring extensively, including two years with London’s West End production of Starlight Express. He has been a member of internationally acclaimed vocal groups The Swingle Singers and The Shout. For three years he played Robin Gibb in the UK’s Bootleg Bee Gees before moving to Australia in 2008 to play Maurice Gibb in the international Night Fever Bee Gee tribute show. Currently based in Adelaide, Greg teaches in the jazz department at Adelaide University.
The show also features well-known musicians Mario Agius on bass and Dave Gray on drums.
The Ultimate ABBA Show will be on at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on Friday 23 May. Visit www.glasshouse.org.au or ph 6581 8888 to book.
