Debra Li

THERE seems to be no end to ABBA-mania.

“Mamma Mia” is still running on Broadway and remains a hit in Las Vegas and on tours around the world. “Abbacadabra,” with productions in French, English, Dutch and Portuguese, has wowed theatergoers in many countries. Both musicals are based on songs by ABBA, the Swedish pop/dance group that was a craze around the world between 1972 and 1982.

Now there’s one more, and it’s coming to Shenzhen.

Created by David King for the Spirit of the Dance Productions in 2006, the song and dance show “Dancing Queen” will take the stage at Poly Theater for three nights starting May 1.

This 1970s’ disco dance extravaganza is a gorgeous, glittering production celebrating the timeless hits of ABBA, The Bee Gees, Village People, and others.

Alan Harding, as director and choreographer, manages the ensembles well and despite the numbers being so well-known as almost to seem hackneyed, brings fresh life to them.

The 75-minute show is performed by a cast of 20. A total of 42 dancers accompany each song, with the performers being winners of tap, flamenco and Latin dance competitions in Europe.

Two men and two women stand in for the ABBA group. The four, all of whom are Swedish, have learned singing under Bjorn Kristian Ulvaeus, a member of ABBA, for nearly two years. They are well-known for performing the numbers pleasantly and without over-amplification so that people can fully appreciate their voices and their vocal artistry.

Against Stephen Howell’s imaginative set, which is a dreamlike black sky sparkling with stars, the singers and dancers will wear feathers and headdresses along with their fancy pure white costumes. The dazzling dances will be combined with skilful roller-skating to fan a Saturday night fever among the audience.

The audience will hear all the hit songs from “Mamma Mia,” and many other familiar scores. Opening the show will be “Dancing Queen,” the biggest hit single for ABBA, which is also considered the group’s signature song.

Even locals unfamiliar with ABBA will hear songs they relate to: Taiwanese-American pop idol Fei Xiang’s adaption of “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” — the Chinese song “Annoying Autumn Wind” — became a hit on the mainland in 1987.

It’s not a delicate or profound show; but with much entertainment to offer, “Dancing Queen” promises that viewers will leave the theater with a big satisfied smile on their faces.