Presented by Entertainment Exhibitions International (UK) Ltd (EEI), in association with ABBA The Museum, and running until 31st August 2020, the exhibition has been conceptualised and curated by Jude Kelly CBE, former artistic director at The Southbank Centre, and is fully approved by ABBA members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid (“Frida”) Lyngstad.
ABBA burst onto the UK music scene with a dazzling win on 6th April 1974 at the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome, introducing the irresistible song that would become their first UK chart-topper, “Waterloo”.
ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition examines ABBA’s rise to global superstardom through a series of atmospheric rooms, exploring each of ABBA’s 8 multi-million selling albums, alongside the band’s personal and public journey.
Throughout, a specially created audio guide (included in the price of admission) will give context to the developments of the decade, highlighting the global news events and musical soundtrack that defined the era.
The experience will contain objects from ABBA The Museum and other archives, some of which have not previously been on display in the UK, including a collection of behind the scenes photos taken of the band on their ‘77 Australian “Arrival” tour, a limited-edition replica of the ‘Star Guitar’ played at Eurovision ’74, signed by all four members, and more than 40 Gold Discs from ABBA’s personal archive including “Dancing Queen”, their biggest selling single, worldwide.
ABBA’s Frida Lyngstad said: “We are delighted to support ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 following the overwhelming response to our earlier exhibitions in London.
“From our Eurovision Song Contest win in Brighton in ’74 to the present day, the UK has long held a special place in ABBA’s heart, and we have always strongly felt the love and support of our British fans.
“It’s with celebration that we work with Jude Kelly CBE towards this major exhibition and can’t wait for fans to discover a host of surprises in December!”
Jude Kelly CBE added: “ABBA’s music, image and personal stories not only gripped a generation, but have the transcendental ability to continue to engage millions of fans of all ages across the globe today.
“It was a great pleasure to see the extraordinary response and enduring respect of fans from all around the world during previous ABBA exhibitions in London.
“I am delighted to work with EEI and ABBA The Museum to present ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 and to be able to take visitors deeper into the incredible legacy that is the ABBA story.”
Ingrid Sutej of Entertainment Exhibitions International (UK) Ltd (EEI) commented: “EEI is delighted to be working alongside ABBA and Jude Kelly to realise Jude’s vision of one of the most incredible cultural stories of our time.
“This all-new creative concept takes a different approach to telling the ABBA story through an immersive experience that will show the band and their remarkable legacy to fans in a new light.”