Abba Voyage - again :) - What to expect.

I had a big birthday redently and went to see Abba Voyage in London for the day. It was my 2nd visit, the first I took my 19 year-old daughter who loved it every bit as much as I did. She knew and sang along to most of the songs which she had picked up from me playing them in the car. We had dance floor tickets, which, in my opinion is the ONLY way to go at an Abba bash. I have seen my fair share of Abba tribute bands over the years but NONE OF THEM sing the songs exactly the same - there's always the odd extended note where it shouldn't be or just something not right. One band were trying to speak to each other in a fake Sweedish accent using the names of the Abba band members which was dreadful and - well just sing the songs ffs. For some reason, for a large chunk of the last, I don't know how many years, it wasn't 'cool' to like Abba. Whether that actually was th case or whether it was all in my imagination, I really don't know. I also really don't care. I'm now totally out and proud an Abba fan and so are many many many others. The Abba show in London has been going a few years now and every time anyone I know has been it has been full. I was on the tube train on the way there and a lady said it was her 14th visit. Some people dress up, some don't, it doesn't matter. The atmosphere is amazing from the minute you see the Arena which is visible as soon as you step off the tube at Pudding Mill Lane tube station. (Tube to London Stratford first, then to Pudding Mill Lane from there). It's right over the road from the station. Prices start from £55 for the dance floor depending on whay day you go and go up to £200 odd for some seats. The view, I would imagine is equally excellent wherever you are, although personally I prefer the dance floor as a person who simply has the urge to dance at any opportunity. I'd not be able to sit still in a seat. Strict warnings are given about the use of cameras during the performance but a view of the forest above is on a screen as soon as you enter the arena. It's a moving image with snowfall and litle imps and elves and the like darting between the trees. It gives a sense of magic and of what you are about to see or what you are about to think you see. I watched my friend's face as the show started. Gobsmacked I think about describes it. She said she hadn't known what to expect but it wasn't what she saw. Of course you know you aren't going to see real people, but if you just allow yourself to be immersed in the show your brain won't know any difference. The lighting is incredible as is the sound. It's just like a show you'd go to a stadium to see but much much better. The group is on stage and also close ups are shown all around. Lights come down from the ceiling and there's lasers and allsorts. In the middle of the show is an animated kind of Sweedish fairytale film for their song EAGLE. This is my favourite song of theirs and guarantees to make me cry every time. So there I was watching the show and crying my eyes out with happiness. Yup I'm a wierdo and I don't care! I saw the show in September 2025 and there were only two songs I didn't really know - everyone politely danced along anyway although not with as much vigour as the ones we all know and love. Everyone was still buzzing when they came out and flocked either to the bars opposite or to the tube station to go home. As luck would (not) have it, London underground had a strike that day which we weren't aware of and although we had allowed 2 hours to get from there to Victoria Bus Station which would, under normal circumstances have been more than enough. On this occasion we had to get a train to Stratford, another tube to another station, then get off there and get the 38 bus to Victoria. We didn't know where the bus was nor which side of the road we had to stand on, we missed a bus, the next bus was delayed so we ended up taking a Starsky and Hutch style taxi drive to Victoria station, praying to the god of green traffic lights to help us (the god ignored us and sent us red lights). The taxi driver was amazing and with the help of a bus station worker managed to jump on the bus just as it was pulling out. Would I go again? Absolutely - already booked again for the end of January next year. I also had a voucher for Abba Voyage so I will just have to go a 4th time :D YIPPEE...