Musical theatre performer Hayley Maybury is set to tour Tasmania with ABBA Gold a tribute to ABBA, and most particularly to ‘Dancing Queen’, on the much loved songs fortieth anniversary.
Hayley remembers visiting Tasmania as a child with her parents and exploring Cradle Mountain and the lake. She said it was’ wonderful’ but aims to continue that exploration when she returns, with a particular desire to see Salamanca Place.
Hayley joined the ABBA Gold production around 3 or 4 months ago and tells me she was encouraged to audition by ironically a Swedish friend who said she should try out because she had the long blonde hair and looks of Abba’s songstress Agnetha. Hayley says she is thankful of her similar looks to Agnetha and that she doesn’t have to resort to wigs or even worse, false beards as some of the other members of the cast have to! Although she didn’t make the first round of auditions she was successful in her call back and was tested with Jess, who plays Frida.
Getting the appearance right aside, research was essential, and Hayley says in her research she connected with Agnetha’s shyness. Plenty of practise of the Swedish accent was also necessary and Hayley says ABBA’s as a bit of an American twang possibly because the members learnt English from American teachers.
With all the research done how does Hayley explain the continued success of ABBA’s songs especially Dancing Queen?
Hayley says that the song has ‘universal lyrics’, it’s a ‘party song’ that encourages us to ‘just let go’ and ‘enjoy where you are’.
Hayley has two particular favourite ABBA songs, Agnetha’s signature song ‘The Winner Takes it All’ and a lesser known song ‘Why Did it Have to Be Me’ which Hayley describes as ‘a joyful and fun song’.
The wholesomeness of ABBA ensures they have and always will, appeal to all generations but Hayley says some of the longevity and interest in the group is also due to the clueiness of Benny who continues to keep the group in people’s minds ie with the introduction for example of Mumma Mia, the musical and the movie that brought Hayley herself back to being an ABBA fan.
You can see Haley in ‘Gold: the ultimate ABBA presenting Dancing Queen: The 40th Anniversary Tour’ in Tasmania on the following dates:
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Burnie Arts Theatre, Burnie
Thursday, March 3, 2016 Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport
Friday, March 4, 2016 Launceston Country Club, Launceston
Saturday, March 5, 2016 Theatre Royal, Hobart
Paula Xiberras
