JAPANESE ENGLISH

11 February 2005, Stockholm, Sweden

I stayed at the 'Scandic Hasselbacken' hotel which is opposite 'The Cirkus Theatre'. I had been eagerly waiting for the next days show in Stockholm. I think ABBA fans all over the world were hoping that four of ABBA members would appear at the premiere tomorrow. When I eventually checked-in, after a 12 hour flight, I happened to meet the English staff member, Mr. Paul Garrington again!!. The first time was in Tokyo, then in Seoul and now in Stockholm. I couldn't believe! because I had only been a few minutes at the hotel reception desk. Not only I but also he was amazed at this chance and we shook hands.

Although I could hear the singing in rehearsal from the hall, I was not able to be outdoors for a long time due to the cold, so I returned to the hotel and tried the 'Mamma Mia-vickning(295SEK)' in the restaurant near the lobby. Still I wanted to hear more of the rehearsals, so I went back outside again and shivered in the freezing cold. Luckily the hall was open for all to see with the glazed doors and I could see visitors going in and out. I don't know why many couples were arriving, although it was for sponsors-only. I heard "Waterloo", it was not in English maybe but in Swedish. Of course all songs in 'Mamma Mia in Sweden' are translated into Swedish, but I thought they would sing 'Waterloo' in English in the same way as other countries' performance. No sooner had "Waterloo" finished when Benny! came out of the hall. And he went to the back exit at a quick pace through the corridor. That happened in an instant!. Luckily, I had a chance to see Benny!. He was a large man than I had imagined in these 26 years. Yes! I saw him. - How lucky I was!

12 February 2005, Stockholm, Sweden Premiere

Wondering if all the members of ABBA will appear, I'm here at last, but I haven't the the means for obtaining a ticket for today's performance. I know well it must be impossible. But I really wanted to see members of ABBA. All fans here must have been thinking the same. While we are freezing, we wait for their arrival for hours. About 70 fans gathered around the theatre towards evening. Almost all the people there were from Europe but I was surprised to hear that no Swedish were among them. As for Asians only me and my friend and a Malaysian woman were there. At last all of us were able to watch their arrivals after 5pm in the evening. It had well worth waiting for since before noon. Benny got out of the car and hurried to the door of the hall. Bjorn stayed on the red carpet and spent about 10 minutes for fans, signing on things which each fan had prepared. Me?, I could hardly even see him among the tall Europeans. So I shouted for his autograph. "Hi, sir! You remember me in Korea? You promised me coming to Japan. You didn't come to Osaka Mamma Mia!.?" And Bjorn looked at me and said, laughing(not smiling, but laughing) "Oh, of course. I remember." Then I said immediately, "Really? You're coming to Japan, ok?." "Yes, sure." Again he laughed and signed my 'Coca-cola record'. Though I was in the head of the line, I saw only her face among the tall fans when Frida arrived. It was just moment when the goddess appeared. A woman came up to me and let me know there's a ticket remained. She told me that she came from Germany and one of her friends couldn't come here. "Are you sure?. Can I get today's ticket?.". It was around 5.30 in the evening, and I hurried into the hotel to change my clothing so that I wouldn't be late for the opening at 6pm. As for Agnetha, I thought that her coming must be a rumour. So I didn't wait for her arrival any more. They said Agnetha appeared after that, for a moment, nobody had a chance to talk with her then. Really? I can't believe yet.





Yes, still I can't believe I've got the premiere ticket just half an hour beforehand!. My seat was in the second row from the rear and that was an aisle seat. Soon I made friends with a woman from the Netherlands who sat in a row in front of me, talking much about ABBA. Finally reached an agreement. "The aisle seats means that the Gods orders us to be hanging around!".

I found Frida and came up to her. Maybe because of my curious look on my Asian face?, she was smiling!. While a woman, apparently security, looked fierce. What should I say?. "Hi, Frida! I'm coming from Japan. We Japanese fans still love you and want to see you again." I was lucky indeed, the security said nothing. "Oh, thank you! you need sign?"(sorry I don't remember what she's saying well). Really? Sign? She gives me a autograph?. "Oh, yes!." I was overjoyed to hear that and held out a paper bag which contained the camera-I had nothing but a paper bag. She said again, "Do you have something to write with?." How stupid of me!. Indeed I had nothing but a paper bag, a digital camera and a card key that's all. "Sorry, now I don't have any." And she took out a pen and signed her name on the paper bag. "Thank you Frida, you're so kind to do that!. May I take a picture of you?." "Sure." It must be dream.


Was the show delayed? Anyway I should have been in a hurry. I met Bjorn again on my way back to my seat. I didn't do it on purpose. He was standing in an aisle in which I had to pass to reach the my seat. "Hello again, Bjorn!. After all I've got a ticket." "Oh! good. Have a nice time." "Thank you." I was embarrassed to talk with him again. (A very good picture which reflects the sight) When back to the seat, a woman from the Netherlands and I showed the autographs each other, talking about ABBA again. "We will be able to surmount any difficulties in the future." At this point she didn't believe that 'Agnetha had been there'. We didn't care that it's long after opening time. I was not sure that Agnetha was there, but I believed that. In just opposite side to Frida's seat, we made sure that the lights from cameras, Agnetha must had been there.









I was wondering where four of them were sitting, but I tried to keep focused to write a report. From my seat I could hardly make sure of the casts expressions at all though I could see clearly the whole performance. I was sure that I have found some differences. It was a profound sounds I have never heard. And longer intervals for audience for laughing were allowed. The actions were almost the same as the premiere of 'Mamma Mia! in Tokyo'. 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Dancing Queen' in English and 'Waterloo' in Swedish were performed on the stage for the curtain call. To my regret, only Bjorn and Benny were on the stage while all four of them were there in the same hall. The curtain fell on, while in a big cheering and clapping continued, soon a light was up and meant its over. The stir in the audience took place. Did we want the curtain call again?. Or did we want the two of women to appear?. Yes, both of them.

After the performance some of fans including me were reluctant to leave. It was bitterly cold outside still more.

It's true that the four of them were enjoying the party at the 2nd floor of the restaurant in Cirkus. And Agnetha enjoyed this event. A newspaper lies! If you want to know the details, check my friend's web.

15 February 2005, Stockholm, Sweden 2nd day

From the premiere to the next performance, there were two days to spare for me. I enjoyed ABBA-remember-sightseeing in a snowstorm. The storm seems to have stopped, we are here again. I came to Sweden for the purpose of seeing today's performance. A Japanese friend who lives in Stockholm suggested this event and she gave me a ticket in the front row. I have got a lot to thank her for!.

I'm sure the ABBA fans notice that this sounds of 'Mamma Mia! in Sweden' is made of many and many a layer. It must be more than former 'ABBA sounds'. Besides, the singing are the best. Anyway I ought not to make a comment on this time.

About the direction, it was almost the same as the early stages of Japanese Mamma Mia!. This is greatly influence of Mr.Paul Garrington. Sofie (Sophie) played the guitar at 'Thank You For The Music' scene, it reminded me of the premiere of Japanese Mamma Mia!. I think it will be changed soon, too. Almost the same except - the changes of costumes in various scenes, Tom (Sky) in a wedding dress disappeared quickly (the same as other countries' Mamma Mia!) at 'Under Attack' scene, Peppar'n (Peppar) was sitting beside Tanja (Tanya) at 'Does Your Mother Know' scene and Sam was sitting with Sofie (Sophie) on the edge of the stage at 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' scene. Their lines "dot, dot, dot" changed to "punkt, punkut, punkt (sorry I don't know the spelling)". And partner's name changed to ROLF.

On the other hand, the words of 'Honey Honey' and 'SOS' are quite different from Swedish versions of ABBA's. We can read these lyrics in a supplement to the programme. Some titles of the songs have been changed in Swedish Mamma Mia!. We can see this in the lyrics book. Although the lyric of 'Waterloo' was not described, it seems to be the same as the Swedish version. And some names of the casts have been changed and we can also see in the ensemble book.

Anyway, I was in a dream for several days.
Mamma Mia! in Sweden is sold out through December 2005.








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