The girls from Abba tribute band Voulez Vous on stage at the City Hall last Friday. SO much sweaty Spandex, but so much fun and whether you are an Abba fan or not, full credit must go to Voulez Vous for their sheer enthusiasm and expertise in the performance of Abba's music.

The Abba story was told chronologically with the aid of video clips and voiceovers, and this included some of the band's less successful songs alongside old favourites such as Money, Money, Money, Waterloo and Mama Mia. This storytelling element of the show was perhaps the weakest with the narrator's booming voice sounding like it would have been more at home in the Big Brother house, and the quality of the video screens was at times poor. But once the show got under way, the audience could not resist the pull of Abba's music and by the second half had donned their dancing shoes and were singing and dancing in the aisles.

This show welcomed you to the high-octane world of an Abba tribute band and dancing for the entire second half (how could anyone not want to?) beats an hour's cardio vascular at the gym hands down. Those members of the audience not dancing were tapping toes or clicking fingers at some point in the evening.

Quick costume changes, lasers, fantastic lighting and a fabulous glitter ball, all made for a great show.

Abba last performed 20 years ago, but a quick glance around the City Hall revealed fans aged from eight to 80, demonstrating the Swedish band's popularity. Many happy memories were shared last Friday night acting as a testament to the resilience of Abba's music.

Wonderful stuff.

Journal Staff