Theatre News

Benny, Björn and Bernadette Peters join Olivier Awards line-up

The Abba pair will join the cast of ”Mamma Mia!” to mark the show’s 15th birthday

Benny and Björn in 2009
Benny and Björn in 2009
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Abba's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus will reunite at the Olivier Awards next month to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Mamma Mia!.

The pair will appear as part of the "grand finale" of the ceremony, which takes place at the Royal Opera House on 13 April 2014.

Also appearing on the night will be Broadway legend and regular Sondheim collaborator Bernadette Peters, will is "flying into London specially to perform", accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. And opera tenor Joseph Calleja will bring the first half of the evening to a close by performing "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini’s Tosca.

The evening will feature performances from all four nominees in the Best New Musical category – The Book Of Mormon, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Once and The Scottsboro Boys, in addition to performances from all the BBC Radio 2 Audience Awards nominees – Les Misérables, Matilda, The Phantom Of The Opera and Wicked.

Full list: Shortlists for the 2014 Olivier Awards

Guest presenters include: Michael Ball, Samantha Barks, Kristin Davis, Lesley Garrett, Nigel Harman, Rufus Hound, Beverley Knight, Penelope Keith, Robert Lindsay, Dame Gillian Lynne, Ben Miles, Alistair McGowan, Marianela Núñez, Lesley Sharpe, Mark Strong, Luke Treadaway, Gok Wan, Ruth Wilson and Leigh Zimmerman.

As previously announced, Gemma Arterton and Stephen Mangan will host proceedings with voiceover by Julie Walters.

Highlights of the Oliviers, which are held in association with Mastercard, will be broadcast on ITV following the ceremony.