"Mamma Mia!" celebrates its fifth anniversary

"Mamma Mia!" celebrates its fifth anniversary

Mamma Mia!, celebrates its fifth anniversary with a special performance at the Prince Edward Theatre tonight, attended by stars including Abba's Benny Anderson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

Based on the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6th April 1999, following previews from 23rd March 99, to rave reviews and smash business.

The show will transfer to the Prince of Wales Theatre from 27 May 2004, booking to 5 March 2005

With more productions now playing simultaneously around the world than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is the world's number 1 show. There are currently 11 global productions: 5 in North America (Broadway, Las Vegas, Toronto and 2 US tours), an Australian tour and 4 foreign language productions (Japan, Germany, The Netherlands and Korea).

The original London production has played over 2000 performances and grossed over £100 million at the UK Box Office.

Around the world MAMMA MIA! has been seen by more than 10 million people and grossed over $750 million at the box office

The show has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

This original musical, which is a story of a mother and daughter set on the eve of the daughter's wedding, has a book by Catherine Johnson.

It is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

It is choreographed by Anthony Van Laast and directed by Phyllida Lloyd.