The Stage

Deal struck to expand Mamma Mia! across Europe

Published Friday 7 May 2004 at 10:30 by Jeremy Austin

Littlestar, the company formed by Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer with Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Richard East, is to present the Abba musical across continental Europe thanks to a new deal with Stage Holding.

The Dutch company, which opened an office in the West End in 2002, will present any future foreign language production in Italy, France, Russia, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece and Turkey, during the next ten years. The deal excludes Scandinavia. Stage Holding already presents local language productions in Hamburg, Germany and Utrecht, Holland. A second German production is due to open in Stuttgart, while Madrid will host a Spanish-language show from November. There are 11 international productions on other continents already.

Said Craymer: “I am delighted that our already excellent relationship with Stage Holding will now develop further with the signing of this new agreement. Mamma Mia! has already proved to be an incredible success in five languages and we are all very pleased that Stage Holding company will now present all future local language productions across continental Europe.”

Run by Endemol co-founder and Big Brother creator Joop van den Ende, Stage Holding owns 18 theatres on the continent and has productions all over the world. It is also to co-produce with Littlestar, NGM and in association with Universal, the forthcoming English language tour of Mamma Mia!, which opens in Ireland on September 9.

Van den Ende said: “Mamma Mia! is a brilliant show that brings great joy to audiences all over the world and I am very proud that Littlestar has entrusted Stage Holding with the opportunity to present the show in so many new countries.”