Last updated: July 17, 2008

icethesite - a website devoted to news about former ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and their music projects - with particular emphasis on their musicals CHESS and Kristina från Duvemåla.

  • Mamma Mia! It's ABBA!

    A place to gather reports from the Swedish premiere of Mamma Mia! The Movie.

    Benny takes a picture on the Rival balcony - REUTERS

    Benny takes a picture of the throng on the Rival balcony - Photo: Reuters

    Agnetha and Frida flank Meryl Streep - photo MATS ANDERSON

    Agnetha and Frida flank Meryl Streep - Photo: Mats Anderson

    On the Hotel Rival balcony - Agnetha and Frida standing together

    On the Hotel Rival balcony - Agnetha and Frida standing together

    Frida, Agnetha and Meryl on the red carpet - Photo: Gunnar Lundmark

    Frida, Agnetha and Meryl on the red carpet - Photo: Gunnar Lundmark

    BBC: The four members of pop group Abba have attended the Swedish premiere of Mamma Mia, the film which features 22 of their songs. Several thousand fans cheered as Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog walked down the red carpet in Stockholm.

    The group had not met up since the original Mamma Mia musical opened in Sweden in February 2005, Lyngstad said.

    And they have not performed in public since 1986, 12 years after shooting to fame by winning the Eurovision Song Contest with their track Waterloo.

    Earlier, former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, who is heard singing hits including Waterloo in the film, said he "kind of rather enjoyed" wearing tight costumes for his role.

    "The Spandex was a bit of a challenge and the boots were [too]," he told reporters."But I had the time of my life making this movie."

    Streep said the prospect of singing had excited her since performing in school musicals such as Oklahoma!.

    "That was my beginning so it was kind of like coming home to the thing that I loved very, very much," she said.But she declined to reveal the Abba song she liked best, saying it was "like saying which of your children is your favourite".She added: "I don't think of it in sports terms like that."

    Ulvaeus praised the actors' vocal talents in the film, which has been adapted from the hit stage musical.

    "Most of them don't think they can sing, but they can, I assure you," he said.

    Links to stories/images/videos from the Stockholm premiere: BBC, ABBA PlazaDaily MailGPTV.gpwebbTV (1)webbtv (2)Washington Post, Sky News, Aftonbladet, Expressen, SvD (Photo slideshow), kjendis.no, The Local.se, Broadway.tv, Reuters

    Donna & Donna! Gunilla Backman and Meryl Streep

    'Swedish cast Donna' Gunilla Backman and 'Movie Donna' Meryl Streep


    Related link:

    BBC

  • Benny Anderssons Orkester to play Skansen

    BAO are scheduled to appear at this year's Allsång på Skansen.

    Benny and the gang will be back in action in Stockholm on Tuesday, August 5, the final night of the 2008 shows. The season will also feature Eva Dahlgren and Peter Jöback.

    Benny Anderssons Orkester due back to Skansen in August 08

    Benny Anderssons Orkester due back to Skansen in August 08