The Written Word
for June 28, 2000

The plan was that we’d go to the Eastern Seaboard in June for our vacation. But as we walked along the Strand last November and talked about our next trip we saw the marquee for The Lion King. Wendy knew that after a long run – which it would be for me up to June – that I really liked going to London to relax so she said, "I’ll make you a deal … if you can get tickets for The Lion King and Mamma Mia we’ll go to London." I thought it over and when we got home and it was clear that Wendy really meant it I emailed the concierge, Brian, at Jurys Hotel in London and asked him what he could do. 24 hours later we had our tickets. A couple of weeks ago we saw the musicals. And what a treat they are.

The Lion King is the familiar kids’ story of the young lion claiming his right to the throne from his evil uncle but the plot is really unnecessary. The music, the dancing, the costumes are really something else. I have a very short attention span – that’s why the less plot the better … I saw The Mousetrap about 25 years ago and didn’t know whodunnit even at the end! … but this had me on the edge of my seat the entire performance. You can say what you like about Disney but they know how to do a show that can reach all ages.

But, for me, Mamma Mia was even better because I am such an ABBA fan.

During the sixties, seventies and eighties when my kids were growing up, I kept my sanity by concentrating on The Poppy Family, Simon & Garfunkel, The Mommas & The Poppas and ABBA – especially the last. If you don’t know who they are, what a pity, but they were a Swedish group that made Rock and Roll listenable – highly listenable. And, it was said, none of them spoke English … though I don’t believe that because all Swedes speak English. Mamma Mia is based upon the music of ABBA but what is fascinating is how the writers have done the plot.

A young woman, living with her mother in a seedy hotel the mother owns on a seedy tropical island, is getting married. She wants her father to give her away but she doesn’t know who her father is. Her mother simply won’t tell her anything except that she was a love child. The bride-to-be sneaks a look at her Mom’s diary of 20 years back, looks at the times around when she could have been conceived, and finds, lo and behold! that her father could be any one of three men … so she invites all three to her wedding. As you can imagine, what happens thereafter is chaotic and uproariously funny.

The amazing part is, however, how the plot is connected by the various great songs of ABBA which, as fans will know, do not really have much connection one to another. But the plot would take a turn which, amazingly, is segued into another ABBA hit. And somehow it all makes sense – sort of. It’s great fun and by the end the entire audience is on its feet singing along with the cast.

I was disappointed with only one thing – I rather hoped that it would end with "Old Friends", my favourite which would have been appropriate. But it didn’t. And it didn’t matter.

The deal was made … and it was the best of deals because both Wendy and I were satisfied with it.

Very satisfied indeed.