Abba Nation

Parkway Cinema, Cleethorpes

HELEN of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships but Abba is the band that launched more tribute acts than can be counted.

The latest to join this crowded field is Abba Nation and they made their debut appearance in front of an enthusiastic and near capacity audience at Cleethorpes's Parkway Cinema.

The first half of the show reminded us of Abba's meteoric rise to musical world domination during the 1970's with a selection of classic hits performed in chronological order of release.

It was our first introduction to this latest reincarnation of Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Bjorn played respectively by Rochelle Ayris, Louise Martell, Nic Breeze and Richard Sharples.

Although Richard played lead guitar and Nic was positioned behind a keyboard, the musical emphasis appeared to be pre-recorded backing tracks and, in my opinion, the arrangements sounded too brash.

The second half of the show aimed to create the experience of a live Abba concert as the quartet was augmented by drums and bass guitar.

Once again the hits just flowed and their familiarity ensured the audience was singing along with their arms swaying in the air to Voulez Vous, Super Trouper and Lay All Your Love On Me.

Meanwhile, Take A Chance On Me signalled an invasion of the aisles as many members of the audience could no longer resist the urge to dance.

Inevitably, Abba fans will draw comparisons but, for me, the trademark harmonies were missing.

In that cinematic setting, my thoughts strayed to Star Trek's Mr Spock who might have summed up the evening as; "It's Abba, Jim, but not as we know it".

However, despite my misgivings, there is no doubt the majority of the audience left with a sense of having been entertained.

Trevor Ekins