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Original poster

ABBA Voyage

35 replies

ChocoChocoLatte · 08/07/2023 18:16

Has anyone been? Friends of mine want to go in December but while it's mere pennies to them, it's a (considerable) big expense in comparison for me. Travel / hotel / tickets / spending money and they want to dress up too.

I like ABBA but wouldn't say I'm their biggest fan, it would be for a fun experience as opposed to my friends who have visited the ABBA hotel/museum this year already.

Any views gratefully received, I don't want to seem like a party pooper so would rather say no straight off than pull out later.

There's a considerable number going so I wouldn't be missed if I choose not to go.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 08/07/2023 18:18

I’ve had a number of friends go and without exception they’ve raved about it. I’m going next month and can’t wait.

rookiemere · 08/07/2023 18:19

I think I must be the exception to the rule.
I went with DH and just found it all dreadfully underwhelming for the price, maybe different if you go with a crowd I don't know.

DamaskRosie · 08/07/2023 18:20

I've been and it was fine- quite fun- as someone who is not madly into Abba (I mean, I like the songs well enough but it's not something I'd listen to at home, IYSWIM). The technology is interesting and well done. Best bit about it is the live band though!

I'd go if you'd enjoy the evening out with your friends but I wouldn't say it's something you absolutely have to see.

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rookiemere · 08/07/2023 18:21

Yes @DamaskRosie the only bit I really enjoyed was the live band, the rest of it seemed so flat. But all my friends who have went raved about it, so there we go.

Plunkplink · 08/07/2023 18:23

It was very enjoyable, but only 90 minutes long,

ChocChipHandbag · 08/07/2023 18:24

Hmm. My husband bought us tickets as I’d said I fancied it and countless people had said how amazingly realistic it was, but I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest.

Good things: purpose-built venue with fantastic light effects, great sound quality and good facilities ie plenty of toilets.

Not so good things- venue in the middle of nowhere (we live in London so wasn’t a big deal for us but would be weird to come to London from another city then have to trek all the way out to Pudding Mill Lane.)
I was hyper-aware that they were avatars. The 3-D figures on the stage are a cool effect, but they have massive close-ups on big screens which are what you watch most of the time as the avatar faces aren’t really visible from your seat. So I felt it was basically just seeing an ABBA film in an iMax.

The chat between songs is quite nice but nothing very memorable.

I mean, it’s all very clever and everything, and good on them for creating it, but I didn’t feel properly carried away by the atmosphere like I might have done at a real concert.

TerfIngOnTheBeach · 08/07/2023 18:26

DD 26 who loves dancing, music & theatre went a month ago with friends. She dressed up. Said it was the best experience she had been to in a long time. I’m not sure me, 57, too shy to dress up and not a massive music fan would feel the same.

LadyWithLapdog · 08/07/2023 18:31

My experience was very much like @ChocChipHandbag I was very close to the front and able to sing and dance. But I wasn’t totally transported and slightly disappointed that that was all. You may know this already, but it starts bang on time, don’t be late.

viques · 08/07/2023 18:34

My DD went with a group of friends, they loved it. I think if you loved ABBA the first time around but never saw them then this will scratch a few itches!

Rainbowshit · 08/07/2023 18:39

I went with friends when it first opened and thought it was astonishing. So realistic.
Don't get too near the front though the effect is better from further back.

mainbrochus · 08/07/2023 18:40

Get dance floor tickets and there is a massive thread about it already, will see if I can link

Parisj · 08/07/2023 19:00

We did enjoy it, but noticed our section was a bit more lively than some others, more people got to their feet to dance. If you decide to go, commit to being all in and you will enjoy.

PuppyMonkey · 08/07/2023 19:06

I went with my teenage daughter - we both bloody loved it. Not ashamed to say we dressed up. Make sure you go on the dance floor for the best experience.

I'm not sure, but I think it's a slightly different set list each time?

LessonLearnedOrLearnt · 08/07/2023 20:12

You say there's a live band but are the vocals Frida and Agnetha?

GertrudeJekyllRose · 08/07/2023 20:21

We went and thought it was absolutely AMAZING, best thing we've ever seen (and we've seen a lot)! We are huge ABBA fans though. Also we live in London.

If you need to travel, pay for hotels etc and you're not keen on ABBA then it's probably not for you.

Figgygal · 08/07/2023 20:24

I'm debating taking my mum for her 70th
She would love it but I am not a fan at all so feels like a lot of money

MadamWhiteleigh · 08/07/2023 20:29

It’s very good and an incredibly imaginative and clever production of light and music.

Was it worth the cost of the ticket and the hotel? Probably not, if you’re not a big abba fan.

DamaskRosie · 08/07/2023 20:30

LessonLearnedOrLearnt · 08/07/2023 20:12

You say there's a live band but are the vocals Frida and Agnetha?

Yes, the vocals are taken from their original albums but with live backing singers and band.

AlphaAlpha · 08/07/2023 21:52

This might help

The everything you need to know about going to ABBA voyage thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4562820-the-everything-you-need-to-know-about-going-to-abba-voyage-thread

Original poster
ChocoChocoLatte · 08/07/2023 22:21

Thanks everyone. We'd be coming from another country (domestic travel) so that's a cost. One wants to hire a private dance booth, but as I mentioned - they have considerably more comfortable lifestyles than me. They never make me feel it but I'm aware of it and it's money I could spend elsewhere, especially just before Christmas.

I also have health issues that probably wouldn't allow me to stand / dance the entire time.

I sound like a right barrel of laughs don't I?!?

I promise I'm a fun person - I just don't want to bring the crowd down (approx another 9) when they're at a different stage in their lives and don't have my cashflow / health issues.

<gah>

OP posts:
Original poster
ChocoChocoLatte · 08/07/2023 22:28

AlphaAlpha · 08/07/2023 21:52

This might help

The everything you need to know about going to ABBA voyage thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4562820-the-everything-you-need-to-know-about-going-to-abba-voyage-thread

That's fab thank you

OP posts:
Hbh17 · 08/07/2023 22:34

I was a bit ambivalent about it. The live band were good, but I couldn't get over the weirdness of the audience cheering people who aren't there and who can't hear the cheers! It felt so sterile because of that, because you can't have any interaction with the 4 main performers.... which is the whole point of live theatre.
It's basically middle-class karaoke.... enjoyable enough, but if cost is a factor I can think of many things I'd rather spend money on, like a proper musical show.
(Also, groups of women on a night out.... not for me, I'm afraid).

LessonLearnedOrLearnt · 08/07/2023 22:53

How much are the tickets?

Original poster
ChocoChocoLatte · 08/07/2023 23:01

Different prices depending on where you are. Standing / seating / private dance booth but all >75

OP posts:
ChocChipHandbag · 08/07/2023 23:02

Hbh17 · 08/07/2023 22:34

I was a bit ambivalent about it. The live band were good, but I couldn't get over the weirdness of the audience cheering people who aren't there and who can't hear the cheers! It felt so sterile because of that, because you can't have any interaction with the 4 main performers.... which is the whole point of live theatre.
It's basically middle-class karaoke.... enjoyable enough, but if cost is a factor I can think of many things I'd rather spend money on, like a proper musical show.
(Also, groups of women on a night out.... not for me, I'm afraid).

Hold on. Are you against any all-female groups at an event or is that code for a certain type of group? For example, would you also object to a group of WI ladies at the Royal Ballet?

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