Chinese Makeover For Abba's Mamma Mia!

Hit musical Mamma Mia! has become the first Western stage show to be translated into Mandarin for audiences in China.

The musical, which features Abba songs, will open in Shanghai later this month.

Although the story of a bride-to-be who invites her mother's three former lovers to her wedding in Greece is not typically Chinese, the country was swayed by its huge success.

Since its debut on London's West End 12 years ago, Mamma Mia! has been translated into 14 different languages, generated £1.2bn worldwide and been turned into a Hollywood movie featuring Amanda Seyfried , Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan .

Tian Yuan, its co-producer said it was the musical's "huge brand" and appeal to younger audiences which helped it beat more established shows to China.

The head of the government company behind the show, China Entertainment Group, has been more direct, saying: "We chose it, to be frank, because of its success."

Despite its worldwide popularity, there is still an element of risk as China has a relatively limited knowledge of Abba.

It was still reeling from the Cultural Revolution when the 70s Swedish pop group burst onto the scene.

Although it remains essentially the same as the London musical, there have been a few tweaks to the script to add the occasional Chinese cultural reference or a joke in the local dialect.

The show's director, Brit Paul Garrington, said: "We thought it would be quite witty to do that, and to have some Shanghainese slang thrown in there, too."

But little has been cut or altered to meet government regulations.

Garrington said: "I was quite surprised, because there are quite a few moments of physical intimacy, which made some of the actors blush."

Tours of English-language musicals like Cats and the Lion King have been hugely popular in China - including a short run of Mamma Mia! in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007.

So far the Chinese press and preview audiences have been impressed with the new version, many even turning up in 1970s outfits.

Nearly 40 years since its formation in Stockholm, it looks as though Abba will finally have a hit in China.