Last updated 16:16, Thursday, 21 August 2008

Mamma Mia! has been this summer’s unexpected hit, smashing box office records across the country. Now ABBA devotees can get another fix of Swedish magic with a special sing-a-long event in Carlisle.

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Dancing queens: Abba fans watching the film Mamma Mia at Vue, Carlisle

Taking place at Vue cinema on Botchergate, the sing-a-long allows people to really let their hair down.

Donning satin flares and platform heels is optional, but singing your heart out is a must.

And judging by the success of the film, tickets are expected to sell quickly for the event, which is on every night from tomorrow until August 28.

Cinema manager Chris Alves says: “The film has been a phenomenon. It’s taken £45million in the UK – that amount is usually reserved for Bond or Harry Potter films.

“It’s a film people have come back to again and again. One woman has been 18 times and the staff now know her really well. You see people coming out at the end, smiling and feeling good about everything.

“I think its success is down to the feel-good factor. Everyone knows ABBA songs, and the film is very glamorous, set on a Greek Island. It allows people to escape.”

It isn’t just fans who have been enjoying ABBA mania; tribute bands have seen demand soar too.

Raymond Sharkey, who is Bjorn in Brampton-based tribute band Swede Dreamz, says: “We have been flat out following the release of the film. Indeed, we are already booked solid right through until February 2009.

“Each and every day we are receiving enquires and confirmed bookings. We recently had to turn down two gigs in Italy and we’re awaiting confirmation for a huge gig in Gran Canaria next year with an audience of 20,000.

“I haven’t attended a Mamma Mia sing-a-long as such but we [Swede Dreamz] have our own sing-a-long somewhere in the UK each and every weekend. It’s just fantastic to be belting our Dancing Queen or Waterloo and the crowd is word perfect!”

At Vue, the sing-a-long will show the film, accompanied by rolling lyrics so the audience can join in. There will also be an evening screening of the film for anyone who wants to watch it in peace – though that is not guaranteed.

“Even at the normal showings people have been singing and clapping towards the end,” says Chris. “But at the sing-a-long they can really belt out the tunes with no-one saying ‘sshh!’

“And if anyone wants to come dressed up in a blonde wig and flares on the night, then go for it.”

The ABBA sing-a-long is at Vue cinema from August 22 to 28. For tickets, phone 08712 240 240.