ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition to Open at the 02 this December

ABBA Exhibition heads to the UK.

Almost the real thing: ABBA’s waxworks at Blackpool seafront from Madame Tussauds.

“We are delighted to support ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 following the overwhelming response to our earlier exhibitions in London. From our Eurovision Song Contest win in Brighton in ’74 to the present day, the UK has long held a special place in ABBA’s heart, and we have always strongly felt the love and support of our British fans. It’s with celebration that we work with Jude Kelly CBE towards this major exhibition and can’t wait for fans to discover a host of surprises in December!” – Frida Lyngstad

Entertainment Exhibitions International in association with ABBA The Museum in Stockholm, this week announced ABBA: Super Troupers – The Exhibition. 

Displayed across a 14,000 square foot space within London’s home of music, The O2 the showcase of ‘ABBAness’ will run from the 6th December 2019 to the 31st August 2020. This immersive exhibition brings to life the world of chart-topping Swedish pop sensation ABBA named after the lead performers – Agnetha Fáltskog, Bjórn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-frid ‘Frida’ Lyngstad – in a visitor experience that charts their music, lyrics, creative process and influence as one of the most iconic pop bands of the modern age.

The exhibition has been conceptualised and curated by Jude Kelly CBE, former artistic director at The Southbank Centre, and approved by ABBA.

ABBA burst onto the UK music scene with a dazzling win on 6th April 1974 at the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome. The night introduced to music lovers and those who also enjoy Eurovision the song that would become the groups first UK chart-topper, Waterloo.

ABBA: Super Troupers – The Exhibition examines ABBA’s rise to global superstardom through a series of atmospheric rooms, exploring each of the groups 8 multi-million selling albums, alongside the band’s personal and public journey.

Throughout, a specially created audio guide (included in the price of admission) will give context to the developments of the decade, highlighting the global news events and musical soundtrack that defined the era. The experience will contain objects from ABBA The Museum and other archives, some of which have not previously been on display in the UK.

Transforming the traditional exhibition experience, this deeply unique take on the ABBA story takes visitors to the heart of the journey of each band member. Incorporating lyrics, costumes, instruments, experiential backdrops of the key events and locations that defined and shaped the band, album artwork, photography, film and more, ABBA: Super Troupers – The Exhibition examines the band’s universal popularity. From their multi-layered sound to their iconic look, the exhibition goes behind-the-scenes to examine the heavy-weight influence of one of the most enduring acts of all time.

ABBA: Super Troupers – The Exhibition is set to put objects on display that include a look at the lives of the band, pre-ABBA, displaying personal items from each musician’s youth including Björn’s school report, his military book and photographs from his time in service, and pictures of a 13-year-old Frida in a jazz band as a beatnik teenager.

There will be key items from the height of the band’s heyday, reflecting on both the personal – such as a collection of behind the scenes photos taken of the band on their ‘77 Australian Arrival’ tour – and the professional, with iconic items from the height of their success such as a limited-edition replica of the ‘Star Guitar’ played at Eurovision ’74, signed by all four members.

Over 40 Gold Discs from ABBA’s personal archive including will be displayed including Dancing Queen, their biggest selling single, worldwide. The display will also showcase a collection of exquisitely designed, image-defining costumes and personal clothing.

Vistors will also be able to see a recreation of super fans, Andrew and Elizabeth Boardman’s Manchester living room. A shrine to ABBA memorabilia, Andrew began collecting 40 years ago having fallen under the band’s spell at the first concert of theirs he attended, aged 16. This room explores the
notion that ABBA may have the most ardent and committed fans of any contemporary band.

Visitors will be fully immersed in the ABBA story, where highlights of the exhibition’s theatrical staging feature a stroll through a Swedish folk park as the band’s pre-ABBA successes and folk roots are explored as well as a recreation of the Eurovision Song Contest stage at the Brighton Dome, where, from lush deep theatre seats, fans will watch the performance before experiencing the excitement of the vote reveal and much, much, more. Tickets are currently on sale at abbasupertroupers.com

“ABBA’s music, image and personal stories not only gripped a generation, but have the transcendental ability to continue to engage millions of fans of all ages across the globe today. It was a great pleasure to see the extraordinary response and enduring respect of fans from all around the world during previous ABBA exhibitions in London. I am delighted to work with EEI and ABBA The Museum to present ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 and to be able to take visitors deeper into the incredible legacy that is the ABBA story.”- curator Jude Kelly, CBE