Abba revival for theatre

If you are a fan of Abba's music then you will want to set aside February 2015 in your calendar.

Rotorua Musical Theatre is to bring Mamma Mia to the stage of Rotorua Civic Theatre from February 13, 2015.

Theatre production manager Richard Marshall said this was the first time the show would be put on by local theatre companies in New Zealand.

"We are the first country in the world that the second-tier rights have been released to," Mr Marshall said.

Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The production features 22 of Abba's hits including Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Winner Takes It All, Chiquitita, Super Trouper and I Have A Dream.

More than 54 million people worldwide have seen the show, which was turned into a movie in 2008.

The theatrical extravaganza in Rotorua will be open for a limited season.

Mr Marshall said they were in the process of looking for a director and that would be finalised shortly.

He said they needed a cast of between 30-35 of varying ages and auditions would be held in August or September next year, with rehearsals expected to be held over the Christmas/New Year period of 2014/2015.

"The Rotorua Musical Theatre is excited to be able to bring this re-imagined production of Mamma Mia to the people of Rotorua. To be able to showcase the talent from Rotorua in a globally recognised production, such as Mamma Mia, is a great thing for our audiences," Mr Marshall said.

People from not only Rotorua but the wider Bay of Plenty and Waikato can audition for the show.

The show will be put on by theatre companies in Auckland, Napier and Dunedin before Rotorua gets its chance.

Mr Marshall expected a large number of people from the Bay of Plenty and Waikato to attend the show.

The New Zealand production will have a completely new design of set and costumes designed by John Harding and Lesley Burkes-Harding, who have been responsible for shows like Rocky Horror Show and West Side Story.