The ever so-beloved West End musical Mamma Mia! has finally been taken from the stage to the silver screen.

The international premiere of the film was held at the Odeon Leicester Square in central London, 30 June 2008.

The film is a musical based on the legendary¹ Swedish pop band ABBA’s songs and it is the film adaptation of the musical of the same name.

Mamma Mia! uses the music of ABBA to tell the story of Sophie Sheridan, a 21-year-old American bride-to-be, trying to find out the identity of her real father so that he can give her away at the wedding.

Since the premiere of the musical in London in 1999, over 30 million people have seen Mamma Mia! around the world and the theatre production has grossed² $2bn (15bn yuan) in earnings³.

Although the title of the musical is taken from ABBA’s 1975 chart-topper Mamma Mia, neither the musical’s nor the film’s plot has anything to do with the story of the group itself.

The band ABBA was the winner of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and following that success their songs topped the charts worldwide until the early 1980s. The name ABBA is an acronym⁴ formed from the first letters of the group member’s first names.

After a week of exclusive⁵ showing in the Leicester Square Odeon, one of London’s most famous cinemas, the film will be on in all cinemas across the country from 10 July.

Some people say maybe it is the mature A-list cast that makes the film work so well. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard star as the three potential dads with the Oscar winner Meryl Streep starring as the mum of the bride-to-be.

A film critic said the film is truly wonderful. It is sharp, hilarious⁶ and very beautifully shot.

If you are a fan of ABBA, a fan of the musical, or simply just a fan of Pierce Brosnan, then the film Mamma Mia！is a must.