"MAMMA MIA - THE PARTY": BJÖRN ENTREVISTADO / interviewed @ "AFTONBLADET"

A punto de estrenar su nuevo proyecto "Mamma Mia! - The Party" (20-E) en el Tyrol, Estocolmo, Björn concedió ayer una entrevista en el periódico sueco "Aftonbladet" aquí el enlace y traducción al inglés más abajo.

About to kick off his new project "Mamma Mia! - The Party" (20th-Jan) at Tyrol, Stockholm, Björn gave an interview to Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet" yesterday. Link and translation here below.

+ info: 

Björn Ulvaeus: ”Jag har blivit mer radikal” (Aftonbladet 02/01/2016)

Nöjesbladet 2016-01-02

Bjorn Ulvaeus: "I have become more radical"

The star of the new show, politics and ABBA is back

The musical is still playing in London - 16 years after the premiere. The film was a huge success.

Now comes the after party. "Mamma mia! - The party ".

- I lit on the idea, immediately. There is such a party atmosphere in the audience at the end of the musical. Now people go on to a party in the same spirit, says Björn Ulvaeus.

This is Bjorn
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus
Age: 70th
Lives: Djursholm
Family: Married to Lena since 1981. The daughters Emma, 32, and Anna, 28. Agnetha children Linda, 42, and Christian, 37th
Current: "Mamma mia - the party" will premiere at Tyrol in Stockholm on 20 January.

On 20 January it will be premiered at Tyrol in Stockholm.

- It has nothing to do with the film's plot. It's not about the characters. Only the environment, says Bjorn Ulvaeus, 70. We were on Skopelos, where the movie was filmed. Nikos and his wife run a tavern and notice what a move it has been on the island because of "Mamma Mia!". They got the idea to run the party nights to take advantage of the boom.

More a dinner show

Roine Söderlund and Mats Ahldén Eventum came up with a proposal three years ago. Then Bjorn Ulvaeus wrote the screenplay along with Calle Norlén and Roine Söderlundh.

- I have heard of women who have Mamma mia evenings drinking wine, Björn Ulvaeus says. It was fun to take the world to a restaurant with a story that takes place in real time. It is more than a dinner show.

Was it fun to choose ABBA songs into the plot?

- Yes. We did it the same way as in the musical. The lyrics carry the story. 60 per cent are songs that are not in "Mamma Mia".

Have you translated the texts into Swedish?

- No, we are translating the Swedish dialogue into English, from 1st May for all Eurovision fans in town. Even in summer we'll play both in Swedish and English. Depending on how the audience looks every night.

"It's completely transformed"

In the cast there are veterans like Anki Albertsson, Sussie Eriksson and Michalis Koutsogiannakis.

- We have high ambitions, and you'll see how Grona Lund has changed, says Björn Ulvaeus. Tyrol is totally transformed. It is their attraction for years.

How long do you play for it to go together?

- A year, I would think, but we are betting that it will become permanent. A million Swedes saw "Mamma Mia!" at the Circus. Here there are 450 people every night.
However, this is an expensive experience.

- Yes, it costs 1340 crowns, but then you get all in one. The whole experience and a great meal and it does not end at 23:00, but continues with a disco.

Are there any ABBA lyrics that evoke personal memories?

- Like things I wanted to change? Yes, but I'm not going to give a few examples.
I mean if songs like "The winner takes it all"  are based on your own feelings?
- There are certainly many songs. ABBA lyrics are more fiction than reality, but often rooted in real experiences.

Some examples?

- "Our Last Summer" is about when I was 18 years old and in love with a girl from Västervik who worked as an au pair in Paris. I went there, Björn Ulvaeus says. "The winner takes it all" is not about Agnetha and my divorce, but it is rooted therein. None of us were losers then. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a typical skilsmässosituation, like "When all is said and done" Frida sings.

Friends 50 years

In June 2016 it will be the 50th anniversary of Benny and you meeting and becoming friends.

- I have a vague memory of the hotel, the Hep Stars came late at night. I have a picture of the two of us under a tree in the park. After 50 years you do not know what is true.
They became friends, started going to clubs in Stockholm.  They became songwritesr for others, and producers of Stig Anderson. ABBA. World Fame. More success and appreciation.

- That is not humility, it isn't clever. I'm in a tremendously privileged situation, that's obvious, says Björn Ulvaeus. I do not understand those who think they are God's gift to humanity. I've never understood it.
Agnetha, Frida, Benny and you still have contact to manage the legacy of ABBA. Also the project "Mamma Mia the party"?

- Absolutely. I would not dream of doing it without their support.
How do you keep in touch?

- Via emails. Someone says no, it is no. We have mostly email contact Björn Ulvaeus says. But we all four mat at Skeppsholmen a year and a half ago when it was the 40th anniversary. Then we sat and talked for a long time to see if we could do something together. No, we would not.

What are you? Not a musician?

- No, musicians, I have never been. I'm not an artist ... what the hell am I? Contractors in different contexts. Popular culture Entrepreneur.

Bjorn Ulvaeus is a partner in the construction company, ALM Equity engaged in building housing for young people, including at Telefonplan in Stockholm.

Interviewed atheist advocate

He also runs the Pop hotel at the ABBA museum.

And tested recently at a new job.

- I was the interviewer - it was the first time. I have been interviewed since I was 18, but never sat on the other side. I asked questions to Richard Dawkins audience.

How did it go?

- It was a blast. I was genuinely interested to hear the answers. It was a full audience at the Circus, interested in science, you can imagine. There is hope for humanity.

"Kristina" is very much about faith. Did this work bring your interest in religion and humanism?

- I have been fascinated by religion as the phenomenon for a long time. When you do not believe yourself and if you want to understand why. With the September 11, 2001 I became really intrigued - what is happening?

"I have become more radical"

Have you changed opinions over the years?

- I have become more radical.

Changed its political position?

- I have for some time been a social liberal. Can not say a particular party. But radical in other ways. I'm so impatient that equality between man and woman should take so long and that wages are falling It is inconceivable.

It seems Benny and you can be on the same wavelength.

- Absolutely. I think we are quite similar. We share equality requirement, really.
"WANT TO TRY TO MAKE A HOUSE WITHOUT THINKING ON THE ECONOMY"

PLUS ABBA star's luxury homes are worth many millions

By working with Benny Andersson again

By summer, it's time for a new tour with Benny Andersson Orchestra. Björn Ulvaeus has written lyrics for most of the orchestra's songs through the years. Including evergreen crowd favorites like "You are my man," "Our last dance" and "Dear Sister".
This spring a new disc.

- Benny has showed me songs to write lyrics to. It's really fun. Damn good songs. It is wonderful to write the lyrics.

Bjorn Ulvaeus waiting with some of the goodies.

- I saved a number for me to go to the Caribbean with my wife for ten days. To sit and write lyrics in a palm shade is ideal. It is she and I and lazy days. To sit there with headphones and writing is absolutely perfect for me.

"Can continue until I fall off the chair"

It is never difficult to think of ideas?

- Sometimes, but surprisingly often turn something up in the head. I have learned that one should take advantage of such vagaries. You should trust your intuition.

What texts are you most proud of?

- Next Kristina think I was good. Many texts of the BAO has been successful. But no, I doubt put in front of someone else.

Then you become better with age?

- And feel just as much pleasure in writing. The audience may become less and less, but this can I get involved with until I fall off the chair.

Otra traducción / Another translation @ AbbaOfficial.com.